Crossword Genius

Stove off? Cook starter for dinner above it (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

obviated

'stove off?' is the definition.
('obviate' can be a synonym of 'stave off')

'cook starter for dinner above it' is the wordplay.
'cook' indicates anagramming the letters.
'starter for' says to take the initial letters.
The first letter of 'dinner' is 'd'.
'd'+'above'+'it'='daboveit'
'daboveit' with letters rearranged gives 'OBVIATED'.

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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