SINCE 1828

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à la minute

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adjective à la mi·nute \ ˌä-lə-mē-ˈnüt , -ˈnᵫt , ˌa- \

Definition of à la minute

cooking

:prepared very quickly and served immediately :not prepared in advance

A quick and tasty side dish is spaghetti with an à la minute sauce based on plum tomatoes and basil.
—Pierre Franey, New York Times, 1 June 1988

—

à la minute

adverb

- Intricate desserts are made à la minute, which is why the server insists they be ordered ahead of time.
- —S. Irene Virbila, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2009

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Origin and Etymology of à la minute

borrowed from French, “short-lasting, giving results rapidly,” literally, “in a minute”

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First Known Use: 1822

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