A common term in Italian cooking, al dente literally translates as ‘to the tooth’. It describes pasta that’s perfectly cooked – neither too mushy nor too hard, and still a bit firm and chewy when bitten. It's not reserved exclusively for pasta, though. Al dente can also be used when talking about the firmness of rice or vegetables; it’s not unusual for a recipe to call for carrots to be boiled until al dente.

Liked this? Click the Like button above. And click the Follow button above for more great stories from loveFOOD

Now discover the food mistakes most people make every day

Confusing culinary terms – and what they actually mean