Tasty Sour Eggs

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon flour

1 cup water

11/2 teaspoons tarragon vinegar

1 egg yolk

Dash or two of hot sauce, such as Tabasco

4 eggs

2 English muffins, split, toasted and buttered

Smoked deli ham slices

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Melt butter in a 9-inch skillet; whisk in flour. Add water slowly, stirring constantly to keep mixture smooth. When mixture reaches a boil, stir in the vinegar and remove from heat.

In a separate dish, beat egg yolk well and add a dash or two of hot sauce. Add to warm mixture and stir thoroughly; remove from heat.

Crack one egg carefully into a custard cup, avoid breaking yolk. Slide into warm mixture; repeat with remaining eggs. Return to heat and, with sauce barely simmering, cover tightly and poach eggs 2 to 3 minutes, until yolks are warm and still slightly yellow, and whites are firm. Spoon sauce over eggs just until top of yolk turns white.

Place ham slices on buttered, toasted muffins. Top with eggs and sauce, season with salt and pepper. Garnish generously with parsley.

Serves two to three.