Crossword Genius

Girl regularly entertained by French city's spicy dish (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pilau

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

'spicy dish' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'girl regularly entertained by french city's' is the wordplay.
'regularly' means one should take alternating letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'entertained by' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are hosted or entertained).
'french city's' becomes 'pau' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
The alternate letters of 'girl' are 'il'.
'il' placed inside 'pau' is 'PILAU'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pilau that I've seen before include "spicy stuff" , "Spicy rice dish from the East" , "Oriental rice dish" , "Rice cooked in seasoned broth" , "Rice cooked in well-seasoned broth" .)

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