If you have a romantic occasion coming up, this is surely the breakfast to cook.  It is, quite simply, sublime.

Method (serves 2)

• Place the 2 egg yolks in a glass bowl over a gently simmering pan of water and beat until pale. 
• Add half the juice of the lemon and beat again for 10 seconds.
• Drop by drop, add the melted butter to the yolks, beating well throughout.  
• When the mixture starts to thicken you can add the butter in a steady stream, whisking constantly. 
• Taste, season with salt and pepper and add more lemon if required. 
• Remove the pan from the heat with the bowl still on top until you’re ready to serve. 
• To poach the eggs, bring a frying pan two thirds full of water to the boil and add the vinegar. 
• Lower to a simmer, and gently crack the eggs into the water on opposite sides of the pan. 
• Cook for about 4 minutes, until the whites are just firm.
• Toast and lightly butter the two halves of the muffin, and place face up on each plate.
• Place half the smoked salmon on each, followed by the poached egg, and then top the whole thing with a good spoonful of hollandaise.