Crossword Genius

Find spice regularly in the Orient? Nothing's simpler (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

easiest

'nothing's simpler' is the definition.

'find spice regularly in the orient?' is the wordplay.
'find' is an anagram indicator.
'regularly' means one should take alternating letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'the orient?' becomes 'east' ('East' can be a synonym of 'orient').
The alternate letters of 'spice' are 'sie'.
'sie' with letters rearranged gives 'ies'.
'ies' going within 'east' is 'EASIEST'.

(Other definitions for easiest that I've seen before include "Least hard" , "Posing least difficulty" , "Requiring the least amount of effort" , "most relaxed" , "Most convenient" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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