For Hollandaise:  I always keep 3 extra eggs and 1 extra stick of butter handy when making hollandaise, just in case it “breaks” and I have to throw it away.  If the mixture does begin to separate, it is probably too hot.  Bring it off the heat and whisk in an ice cube, to cool it quickly.  Continue whisking until mixture begins to blend again.  Return to low heat.  This happened to me this morning!  But don’t worry, those ice cubes saved the day!

Now that I have completed terrified you, here is how you make the perfect hollandaise!

Melt on stick of butter in a small saucepan on low-medium heat or over a double boiler until fully melted.  Try to keep the temperature as low as possible!  When you whisk in the eggs, you don’t want them to “fry” but to blend in with the butter.

As soon as butter is melted, quickly whisk in three eggs.  This is the most important part, so keep whisking!    Add 2 T. lemon juice, salt & pepper and continue whisking until mixture thickens and becomes creamy.

While eggs are poaching and hollandaise is thickening, heat ham slices in a frying pan.  I like to use smithfield country ham slices.  You can usually find these in the deli section or you can ask the deli to slice some for you.

For assembly:

Place heated ham slice on biscuit, drain poached egg and place on top of ham. Spoon warm hollandaise on top.  Serve immediately!