Cook uses a tin opener in various ways (4)
I believe the answer is:
stew
'cook' is the definition.
(stewing is a type of cooking)
'a tin opener in various ways' is the wordplay.
'opener' indicates taking the first letters.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'various ways' becomes 'sew' (compass directions).
The initial letter of 'tin' is 't'.
't' placed within 'sew' is 'STEW'.
'uses' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for stew that I've seen before include "Casserole" , "Cook (in one's own juices?)" , "Slow cooked meat dish" , "Lazy person" , "Slow-cooked dish of meat and vegetables" .)