For a motel, a novel porridge ingredient (7)
I believe the answer is:
oatmeal
'porridge ingredient' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'for a motel a novel' is the wordplay.
'a motel a' anagrams to 'OATMEAL'.
Though, I am not clear how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oatmeal that I've seen before include "Pale variegated brown colour" , "Sort of beige" , "Greyish-fawn colour flecked with brown" , "It's boiled for porridge" , "Basis of porridge" .)