You probably came across some obscure words while trying to copy a recipe. If you are still wondering about some meanings check this food dictionary and glossary of cooking terms, arranged in alphabetical order.

Al dente: Italian for “to the tooth”, describes pasta that is cooked until it offers a slight resistance when bitten into.

After taste: Taste which returns to the mouth after ingestion of certain foods and beverages.

Al forno: An italian term to describe a dish that is oven baked or oven roasted.

Amuse bouche: A french term that is literally means mouth amusement. These are tiny bites of food served before a meal to invigorate the appetite.

Aromatic: A vegetable, herb or spice used to enhance the flavor and fragrance of food and drinks. In classic cooking, a reference to aromatics most often means onions, carrot and celery.