Offering at mealtime could make a curate stare (7,5)

I believe the answer is:

tartare sauce

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'offering at mealtime could' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'make a curate stare' is the wordplay.
'make' is an anagram indicator.
'a'+'curate'+'stare'='acuratestare'
'acuratestare' anagrammed gives 'TARTARE SAUCE'.

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(Other definitions for tartare sauce that I've seen before include "Accompaniment to fish" , "dish accompaniment?" , "Dressing for fish" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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