Crossword Genius

Dip into alcohol suitable to be consumed (2,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

al dente

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'suitable to be consumed' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'dip into alcohol' is the wordplay.
'dip' becomes 'dent'.
'into' is an insertion indicator.
'alcohol' becomes 'ale' (type of beer).
'dent' inserted within 'ale' is 'AL DENTE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for al dente that I've seen before include "Still firm when eaten" , "Not soft to eat" , "(Of pasta) still firm when bitten" , "Of pasta or vegetables, firm when bitten" , "Cooked so as to be firm when eaten" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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