Crossword Genius

Provide food box after taking down recipe (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cater

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'provide food' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'box after taking down recipe' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'recipe' could be 'r' (abbreviation in medical prescriptions) and 'r' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'cate' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cater that I've seen before include "Trace (anag.)" , "so put out food?" , "Trace in order to serve" , "Provide service for like grocer" , "Provide what is required" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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