Crossword Genius

Go mad about absolutely nothing, requiring return fare from Asia (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pilaff

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'go mad about absolutely nothing requiring return fare from asia' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'about absolutely nothing requiring return fare from asia' is the wordplay.
'about' says the letters should be written backwards.
'absolutely nothing' becomes 'FA' (slang term - sweet Fanny Adams).
'requiring' says to put letters next to each other.
'return' becomes 'lip' (lip is a kind of return).
'fare from asia' becomes 'f' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'fa'+'lip'='falip'
'falip' reversed gives 'pilaf'.
'pilaf'+'f'='PILAFF'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pilaff that I've seen before include "Rice dish" , "Rice cooked in well-seasoned broth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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