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This paste needs salt with a mixture of spices, thanks (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

taramasalata

'this paste' is the definition.
(I have seen 'fishy paste' mean 'taramasalata' so perhaps 'paste' could also mean 'taramasalata')

'salt with a mixture of spices thanks' is the wordplay.
'salt' becomes 'tar' (both can informally mean a sailor).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'mixture of spices' becomes 'masala' (mixture of spices in Indian cooking).
'thanks' becomes 'ta' (UK informal version of 'thank you').
'tar'+'a'+'masala'+'ta'='TARAMASALATA'

'needs' is the link.

(Other definitions for taramasalata that I've seen before include "starter" , "fishy paste" , "spread" , "Pink Greek food" , "Fishy Greek dip" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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