Crossword Genius

Portions of pies containing some spice (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pieces

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'portions' is the definition.
(I know this)

'pies containing some spice' is the wordplay.
'containing' indicates putting letters inside.
'some spice' becomes 'ec' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'pies' enclosing 'ec' is 'PIECES'.

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pieces that I've seen before include "Chessmen" , "Portions, parts" , "Bits < of sandwiches" , "Fragments" , "barrels of wine" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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