Sibling comments here are good but what I think they are missing is a nuance of artistry that underlies a lot of GP’s examples. So in this case, al dente means

Sibling comments here are good but what I think they are missing is a nuance of artistry that underlies a lot of GP’s examples. So in this case, al dente means cooked to perfection. Not too much, not too little, and is reflective of the craftsman’s skill.