Pasta-cooking specification (2,5)
I believe the answer is:
al dente
'pasta-cooking specification' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for al dente that I've seen before include "(Of pasta) still firm when bitten" , "(Of pasta) firm when eaten" , "London area" , "Of pasta or vegetables, firm when bitten" , "(Of pasta) cooked, but not too soft" .)