Is pate smeared with curds when they are thrown? (7,4)

I believe the answer is:
'they are thrown?' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.
'is pate smeared with curds' is the wordplay.
'smeared with' indicates an anagram.
'is'+'pate'='ispate'
'ispate' anagrammed with 'curds' can make 'CUSTARD PIES'.
'when' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for custard pies that I've seen is "Slapstick comedy missiles".)