Rum baba. A spongy yeast cake, this variety steeped in kirsch, said to have been discovered by Stanisław Leszczyński when he dipped a kougelhopf in rum. Named after Ali Baba of the 1001 Nights.
Star anise. Chinese anise. A seed from a tree of the magnolia family which has a flavour reminiscent of liquorice. Stronger than aniseed, it is used in the same way.
"Mary's bath." A water bath - a container of warm water in which smaller pot(s) rest to provide slow, even cooking, protecting the extremities from over colouring. Ideal for sauces and custards or for keeping food hot. Au bain-Marie refers to food which has been so cooked. This is apparently named after Moses' sister, Mary, who was a chemist or after the Virgin Mary.
