Danish skipper potato and Meat stew

Name: Danish skipper potato and Meat stew
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: butter, for frying; 750 g/I lb 10 oz braising beef (shoulder or breast work well) cut into 3 cm/ 1¼ inch cubes; 5 onions, cut into 5 mm/¼ inch slices; 3 bay leaves; 800 g/1¾ Ib firm potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 cm/¾ inch dice; 60 g/2¼ oz (¼ cup) cold butter, diced small; 1 good bunch chives, finely snipped, to serve; Salt; White pepper