Mix some turmeric into rice, initially (4)
I believe the answer is:
stir
'mix' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'some turmeric into rice initially' is the wordplay.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'some turmeric into rice' is 'STIR'.
(Other definitions for stir that I've seen before include "Arouse; mix" , "Agitate - disturbance" , "Affect emotionally" , "Whisk, agitate" , "Start to move" .)