Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1

   MAKE DILL HOLLANDAISE: Set up a double boiler: fill a saucepan with 2 inches of water and bring to a gentle simmer. Place a heatproof bowl on top - the bowl shouldn't touch the water. Add egg yolks and lemon juice to the bowl. Whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon and you see the whisk leaving trails. Don't let it get too hot or the eggs will scramble - if it starts looking grainy, remove from heat and whisk in 1 tsp cold water to cool it down.

2. 2

   ADD THE BUTTER SLOWLY: Remove bowl from heat. Now drizzle in the melted butter VERY slowly - about 1 tablespoon at a time - whisking constantly after each addition. The sauce should become thick, creamy, and pale yellow. If it looks oily or separated, you added butter too fast - whisk in 1 tsp hot water to bring it back. Once all butter is incorporated, stir in 1 tbsp chopped dill and a pinch of salt. Keep warm by placing bowl over the pot of hot (not simmering) water, whisking occasionally.

3. 3

   POACH THE EGGS: Fill a medium saucepan with 3 inches of water. Add white vinegar and bring to a gentle simmer (small bubbles rising, not a rolling boil). Crack each egg into a small cup first. Create a gentle whirlpool by stirring the water with a spoon, then slide one egg at a time into the center of the swirl. Cook 3-4 minutes for runny yolks - whites should be fully set but yolk still jiggles when touched. Remove with a slotted spoon and rest on a paper towel to drain.

4. 4

   TOAST AND ASSEMBLE: Split the English muffins and toast until golden brown. Place 2 muffin halves on each plate. Arrange 1.5 oz of smoked salmon on each muffin half, folding it gently into ruffles. Place a poached egg on top of the salmon.

5. 5

   FINISH: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of warm hollandaise over each egg, letting it drape down the sides. Scatter remaining fresh dill and capers over the top. Serve immediately - hollandaise doesn't wait. Crack black pepper over if desired.