In a stew, brief period before microwave's indication that it's finished (6)
I believe the answer is:
moping
'microwave's indication that it's finished' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'in a stew brief period' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'in' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'before' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for moping that I've seen before include "brooding" , "Wandering about in low spirits" , "Sulking or mooning about" , "Being dejected and apathetic" , "Moving about listlessly" .)