A variety of tripe provided as precursor to meal (8)

I believe the answer is:

aperitif

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'precursor to meal' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'a variety of tripe provided' is the wordplay.
'variety of' indicates an anagram.
'provided' becomes 'if' (eg 'provided it's sunny' means 'if it's sunny').
'tripe' with letters rearranged gives 'perit'.
'a'+'perit'+'if'='APERITIF'

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aperitif that I've seen before include "Alcoholic drink to stimulate appetite" , "Preprandial drink" , "Pre-meal drink" , "Preliminary drink" , "If pirate may have a drink before dinner?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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