A bain-marie (French for water bath) is a simple technique used for baking delicate dishes like custards, cheesecakes, mousses and terrines. It works to prevent cracking or curdling by surrounding the food being baked with hot water to produce an even, gentle heat.The name comes from the French bain de Marie or bain-marie, in turn derived from the medieval Latin balneum Mariae and the Arabic ḥammām Māriyya, all meaning 'Mary's bath'. In his books, the 300 AD alchemist Zosimos of Panopolis credits for the invention of the device Mary the Jewess, an ancient alchemist.In essence, it is a heated bath that can be used both to cook food and to keep food warm over time. The term itself has become more loosely used to describe the type of pan used. So while its origins are focused on cooking and heating, modern bain maries are also commonly used to hold cold food items as well.A Bain Marie surrounds the food with very gentle heat and is used for warming delicate dishes such as sauces or melting chocolate. Additionally, pre-cooked foods such as curry, chilli or even baked beans can be kept at a safe serving temperature for extended periods.What temperature should a bain-marie be? The ideal temperature for a bain-marie or a double boiler is between 60 and 70 degrees celsius and should never reach boiling point. To prevent bacteria from growing on the prepared food, keep a Bain Marie at 63 degrees celsius.What temperature should a bain marie be? Usual food safety law applies. Hot food must be kept at 63°C or above. Once below this temperature, it can only be displayed for up to two hours.when transferring the dish to the oven. Check the bain marie frequently while your dish is cooking. The water should be at a barely discernible simmer. If the water is boiling, the oven is too hot and you should reduce the oven temperature.
