The Deliciously Deceptive: Cracking a Culinary Crossword Clue
Welcome, word wranglers and puzzle pilgrims, to another quest for crossword conquest! Today’s quarry is a particularly palatable puzzle piece, a clue that’s got me thinking about simmering pots, poetic pronouncements, and the surprisingly symbiotic relationship between gastronomy and grid-based games.
The clue in question? “Dish is Keats’ stew with sauce (5,7)“.
Now, immediately, the aroma of complexity wafts from this one. It’s not your run-of-the-mill, straightforward definition. No, this is a clue that demands we engage our lateral thinking, our knowledge of culinary vocabulary, and possibly even a dusty anthology of Romantic poetry.
The first element that grabs attention is the word “Dish.” In crossword-land, “Dish” can often be a simple descriptor, pointing us towards a type of food. But the inclusion of “is” suggests something more nuanced. Are we looking for a specific dish
named after
something? Or is the word “Dish” playing a double game, perhaps acting as part of an anagram or wordplay trick? The possibilities, like ingredients in a complex stock, begin to bubble.
Then we have “Keats’ stew.” This is the heart of the matter, the meaty morsel demanding our immediate attention. “Keats” instantly conjures images of the celebrated Romantic poet, John Keats. A culinary tribute to Keats? A dish he might have enjoyed? Or is “Keats'” simply a possessive, indicating some characteristic or element linked to the poet?
The word “stew” further steers us down the culinary path. We need to consider the vast landscape of stews – hearty, comforting, often slow-cooked dishes with a rich history across cultures. What are the typical ingredients? What flavors might be associated with a “poetic” or “Romantic” stew? Are we looking for something specifically British, given Keats’ nationality?
Finally, we arrive at “with sauce.” The inclusion of a sauce adds another layer of intrigue. The type of sauce could be crucial in narrowing down our options. Is it a creamy sauce, a tomato-based sauce, a gravy, a reduction? The sauce could also provide a crucial link to the “Keats” element, perhaps containing ingredients or flavors that allude to his poems or life.
The (5,7) format is a vital piece of information. It tells us that the answer is a two-word phrase, with the first word consisting of five letters and the second containing seven. This provides a framework, a skeletal structure upon which to build our culinary creation.
So, where do we begin?
We could start by brainstorming types of stews. Beef stew, lamb stew, vegetable stew – the list goes on. We can then consider which of these, if any, might be linked to Keats, either directly or through some clever wordplay.
Alternatively, we could focus on the “sauce” aspect. What are some well-known sauces? Béarnaise, Hollandaise, tomato sauce – do any of these conjure images or associations with Keats?
It is also worth pondering the anagram possibility. Could the words in the clue be rearranged to form the answer? This might seem like a long shot, but in the world of cryptic crosswords, anything is possible.
This clue is a tantalizing tapestry woven with culinary threads and poetic allusions. It demands a methodical approach, a dash of creativity, and a healthy dose of crossword-solving intuition.
Let’s dive in, dissect the ingredients, and see if we can unearth the answer lurking within this deliciously deceptive clue. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
STEAKTARTARE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 19 September 2025