Mild starter of potatoes and cumin is flaming, in comparison (7)
I believe the answer is:
pacific
'mild' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'starter of potatoes and cumin is flaming in comparison' is the wordplay.
'starter of' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'potatoes and cumin is flaming in comparison' is 'PACIFIC'.
(Other definitions for pacific that I've seen before include "Ecuador's ocean" , "Conciliatory - calm" , "Non-combatant" , "Peaceful in intent" , "Non-combative" .)