Crossword Genius

Food for interval, quick, before novel published in instalments, say (9,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

breakfast cereal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'food for interval quick before novel published in instalments say' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'interval quick before novel published in instalments say' is the wordplay.
'interval' becomes 'break' (break is a kind of interval).
'quick' becomes 'fast' (similar in meaning).
'before novel published in instalments say' becomes 'cereal' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'break'+'fast'+'cereal'='BREAKFAST CEREAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for breakfast cereal that I've seen is " dish first thing?".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app