The way to make sea sprats in grapeseed for starter? (4-6)

I believe the answer is:

deep-frying

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'the way to' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'sea sprats in grapeseed for starter?' is the wordplay.
'sea sprats' becomes 'deepfry' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'for starter?' indicates taking the first letters (I've seen 'for starters' mean this).
The initial letter of 'grapeseed' is 'g'.
'deepfry'+'in'+'g'='DEEP-FRYING'

'make' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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