bain-marie
nounUK /ˌbæn məˈriː/
US /ˌbæn məˈriː/
A bain-marie is a pot of hot water that holds another bowl so food melts or cooks gently.
She melted the chocolate in a bain-marie so it would not burn.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A piece of kitchen equipment made of two stacked pots, the lower one holding simmering water.
The recipe calls for a bain-marie to keep the sauce warm.
3. A warm water bath used in laboratories to heat samples slowly and evenly.
The technician placed the flask in a bain-marie at 60 degrees.
4. A method of cooking delicate foods such as custards by surrounding them with hot water.
The chef cooked the crème caramel using a bain-marie.