BAIN-MARIE

[Fr.] In old chemistry , a water bath; also, sometimes, a sand bath. In cookery , a shallow ve el containing heated water, in which saucepans, ., are placed, when it is nece ary either to make them hot, or to keep them so, without allowing them to boil. It is extremely useful in making sauces, warming soups and small dishes, and when dinners are delayed after they are ready to be served.