Not too soft, as pasta (2,5)
I believe the answer is:
al dente
'not too soft as pasta' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for al dente that I've seen before include "Of pasta or vegetables, firm when bitten" , "(Of pasta) still firm when bitten" , "(Of pasta) firm to the bite" , "(Of cooked vegetables) still firm when bitten" , "(Of pasta) cooked, but not too soft" .)