2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
(or white-wine or tarragon vinegar)
4 tablespoons boiling water
3 large egg yolks
1/2 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt

Melt the butter and keep it warm.

Heat the vinegar or lemon juice until just warmed. Have small saucepan with boiling water and a measuring tablespoon ready.

Place the top of a double boiler over (not in) hot water. (This means the bottom of the top of the double boiler sound not make contact with the water heating in the bottom half of the double boiler.)

Place the egg yolks in the top of a double boiler and whisk until they begin to thicken.

Now add 1 tablespoon of the boiling water. Continue to beat the sauce until it begins to thicken. Repeat with the remaining water, one tablespoon at a time, beating the mixture after each addition.

Now add the warmed vinegar or lemon juice. Remove the double boiler from the heat.

Beat the sauce briskly with a wire whisk. Continue to beat the mixture as you slowly pour in the melted butter.

Add the salt and cayenne and beat the sauce until it is thick. serve immediately.  Makes 1 cup.