Essayist requiring meat (4)
I believe the answer is:
lamb
This clue is a double definition.
'essayist' is the first definition.
(I know that Lamb is a essayist)
'meat' is the second definition.
(lamb is a type of meat)
'requiring' is the link.
(Other definitions for lamb that I've seen before include "Young ovine" , "Young creature" , "English essayist" , "Tender sheep meat" , "Agnus Dei - . . . . of God" .)