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Chocolate Glaze
Credit: Mary Ellen Bartley

I don't have a double boiler, so what do I use when a recipe calls for one?
Carole K. Bengston, Bloomimgton, MN

Carol, I don't have one either! Place the food you're cooking (usually something like chocolate, custard, or a sauce) in a metal or other heatproof bowl over a smaller saucepan of simmering water. Take care that the bowl does not come in direct contact with the water; the idea is to gently heat the bowl contents with steam, but not allow water or steam to come in direct contact with the food.

See the recipe for Chocolate Glazefor an example of how to use use a metal bowl instead of a double boiler.