Crossword Genius

Butter turns up in a staple diet (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pat

'butter' is the definition.
(a pat can mean a lump of butter)

'turns up in a staple diet' is the wordplay.
'turns up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'tap' is hidden within 'staple diet'.
'tap' reversed gives 'PAT'.

(Other definitions for pat that I've seen before include "'Light touch, on the back say (3)'" , "Light touch or stroke" , "Portion of butter" , "Affectionate gesture - postman" , "Apt for tender touch" .)

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