Is an alternative English ingredient (5)
I believe the answer is:
anise
'ingredient' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both things that one consumes for nourishment as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'is an alternative english' is the wordplay.
'alternative' indicates an anagram.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'is'+'an'='isan'
'isan' is an anagram of 'anis'.
'anis'+'e'='ANISE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for anise that I've seen before include "Herb with aromatic seeds" , "Plant giving ouzo flavour" , "Aromatic Mediterranean plant" , "Plant providing flavour similar to liquorice" , "Plant with aromatic seeds" .)