Taste of masala say left out for fawn (5,6)

I believe the answer is:

curry favour

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'fawn' is the definition.
(I know that curry favour is a kind of fawn)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for curry favour that I've seen before include "Seek to ingratiate oneself" , "toady" , "Bow and scrape" , "Suck up" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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