The term "al dente" refers to the pasta's overall firmness. When a recipe asks for al dente pasta, the pasta should be soft but still somewhat firm in the center. What does the term "al dente" translate to in English?
Answer "To the tooth"
Al dente is Italian for "to the tooth." Many cooks agree that this is the right way to prepare pasta. The phrase itself indicates that there should be a small bite when eating your pasta. Spaghetti, for example, should have a little resistance when you bite into it, without being too firm or uncooked.
Asked by Vasilii Kulev · Last updated 3 years ago · 2.2K views · SOURCE
