Crossword Genius

Ruins veal after cooking without exception (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

universal

'without exception' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'ruins veal after cooking' is the wordplay.
'after cooking' is an anagram indicator.
'ruins'+'veal'='ruinsveal'
'ruinsveal' with letters rearranged gives 'UNIVERSAL'.

(Other definitions for universal that I've seen before include "Worldwide or cosmic" , "Sort of joint" , "Film producer" , "Of worldwide scope" , "Applying throughout the world" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app