The first mention comes in the form of medieval Latin with the term “balneum Mariae” which translates to Mary's bath. This morphed into the French equivalent of “bain marie.” And it's still in use today!a cooking utensil containing heated water in which food in smaller pots is cooked — compare double boiler.

The first mention comes in the form of medieval Latin with the term “balneum Mariae” which translates to Mary's bath. This morphed into the French equivalent of “bain marie.” And it's still in use today!A bain-marie is ideal for cooking and warming. It warms the food gently, but avoid using it in place of boiling because it will only maintain a dish at a ready to eat temperature. A bain-marie is an appliance that can hold food hot for a long time without drying it out or making it overcooked.