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al dente
[ al den-tey, -tee; Italian ahl den-te ]
/ æl ˈdɛn teɪ, -ti; Italian ɑl ˈdɛn tɛ /
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adjective, adverb
(especially of pasta) cooked so as not to be too soft; firm to the bite: spaghetti al dente.
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Origin of al dente
1945–50; Italian: literally, to the tooth
Words nearby al dente
Aldan, Aldebaran, Aldeburgh, aldehyde, Alden, al dente, alder, alder buckthorn, alderfly, alder flycatcher, alderman
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use al dente in a sentence
This is key for keeping your PB&J al dente all day, an improved sandwich structure for zero sogginess and better pocket durability for the inevitable yard sale.
Cook for 6-8 minutes; you want them al-dente, because they'll keep cooking in the hot soup.
Add the spaghetti and cook for eight minutes, testing it regularly toward the end to ensure it remains al dente.
The rich, tangy sauce is a perfect foil for the tender green stalks, which should be cooked until just al dente.
British Dictionary definitions for al dente
al dente
/ Italian (al ˈdɛnte) /
adjective
(of a pasta dish) cooked so as to be firm when eaten
Word Origin for al dente
literally: to the tooth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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