Eggs Benedict With Smoked Salmon from The Regent Hotel, Berlin

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp minced shallots
• 2 tsp dry mustard
• 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 12 large eggs
• 6 3/4-inch-thick slices brioche loaf or egg bread, lightly toasted, each slice cut in half on diagonal
• 8 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon (not lox)
• 3 large egg yolks
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• Fresh dill sprigs (optional)

Preparation:

1. Combine shallots and mustard in medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in wine. Boil over high heat until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup, whisking often, about 10 minutes. Whisk in cream. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
2. Fill large bowl with cold water. Bring large skillet of water to boil; add vinegar. Reduce heat to medium-low. Working with 6 whole eggs at a time, crack eggs open and add to simmering water. Cook until whites are set, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer 1 egg at a time to cold water. Reserve skillet with vinegar water. (Can be prepared 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
3. Bring vinegar water to simmer. Transfer cream sauce to top of double boiler over simmering water. Whisk 3 raw egg yolks into cream sauce. Whisk constantly until sauce thickens and instant-read thermometer inserted into sauce registers 160� deg F, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add chopped dill and whisk 1 minute.
4. Place 2 toast triangles on each of 6 plates. Top with salmon. Using slotted spoon, gently transfer poached eggs, 1 at a time, from bowl of cold water to skillet of simmering vinegar water. Cook eggs until warm, about 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer 1 poached egg to each toast triangle. Spoon sauce over. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired.
5. YIELD: Serves 6