Crossword Genius

Something for kitchen — pasta, extremely useful when stirred (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spatula

'something for kitchen' is the definition.
(kitchen utensil)

'pasta extremely useful when stirred' is the wordplay.
'extremely' suggests removing the centre (only the extremes of the word are used).
'when stirred' is an anagram indicator.
'useful' with its middle removed is 'ul'.
'pasta'+'ul'='pastaul'
'pastaul' with letters rearranged gives 'SPATULA'.

(Other definitions for spatula that I've seen before include "Paul sat (anag)" , "Implement for mixing/spreading" , "Tool with broad flexible blade for spreading and mixing" , "Flattened spoon" , "Flexible knife-like instrument" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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