Salt Cod Gratin from The Hog Island Book of Fish & Seafood: Culinary Treasures from Our Waters by Jo

Ingredients

• 2 cups (480 ml) milk
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 pound (455 g) center-cut salt cod
• ½ cup (120 ml) water, or more as needed
• 8 large cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon fresh or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 large fresh sprigs flat-leaf parsley
• ½ pound (225 g) boiling potatoes, peeled and quartered
• ⅓ cup (75 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons to oil the baking dish
• ⅓ cup (75 ml) heavy cream (optional)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• Lightly toasted baguette slices, for serving
• 4 whole cloves