Crossword Genius

Partly processed food to become solid in batter? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cudgel

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'batter?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'partly processed food to become solid' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'food' could be 'cud' (cud is a kind of food) and 'cud' is found within the answer.
'become solid' could be 'gel' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'gel' is present in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cudgel that I've seen before include "(Strike with a) heavy stick" , "Blunt instrument" , "brain" , "Brutish club" , "Club used for hitting people" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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