Crossword Genius

I meant to blend and incorporate a number in the food (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aliment

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

'food' is the definition.
(aliment is a kind of food)

'i meant to blend and incorporate a number' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'i' could be 'me' and 'me' is located in the answer.
'and' could be 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and') and 'n' is found in the answer.
'a' is present in the answer.
'number' could be 'l' (L is an example) and 'l' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'it' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aliment that I've seen before include "Old word for food" , "Something which nourishes - meal tin (anag)" , "Nourishment" , "Sustenance" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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