A new helpful hint re hors d'oeuvre (9)
I believe the answer is:
antipasto
'hors d'oeuvre' is the definition.
(both can mean a small meal)
'a new helpful hint re' is the wordplay.
'new' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation eg NT for New Testament).
'helpful hint' becomes 'tip' (I've seen this in another clue).
're' becomes 'as to' (I've seen this in another clue).
'a'+'n'+'tip'+'asto'='ANTIPASTO'
(Other definitions for antipasto that I've seen before include "hors-d'oeuvre" , "Appetizers in an Italian meal" , "course of hors d'oeuvres" , "course leader" , "Appetiser, starter" .)