Crossword Genius

Simple one providing food without frills entertaining me, informally (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

austere

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

'simple' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'one providing food without frills entertaining me informally' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'one' could be 'a' (a thing is one thing) and 'a' is located in the answer.
'food' could be 'e' (E is an example) and 'e' is found in the answer.
'me' could be 'us' ('us' can mean 'me' in some dialects) and 'us' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'tre' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for austere that I've seen before include "Stern, grave" , "Lacking comforts; strict" , "Stern or very plain" , "Abstemious and grave" , "Without luxury or ornament" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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