Eric prepared pilau ingredient (4)
I believe the answer is:
rice
'pilau ingredient' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both things that one consumes for nourishment as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'eric prepared' is the wordplay.
'prepared' indicates anagramming the letters.
'eric' with letters rearranged gives 'RICE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rice that I've seen before include "Edible grains of grass" , "Cereal grass" , "Type of grain" , "Curry side dish" , "Grain for food" .)