8 INCH CAKES RECIPES

Steps:

• For the funnel cakes: Add enough oil to a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot to come 2 inches up the sides of the pot. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it registers 360 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer. Line a baking sheet with a metal cooling rack or a few layers of paper towels.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the milk, vanilla and eggs in a large measuring cup.   
• Sift together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl using a mesh strainer (to break up any lumps in the brown sugar). Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture just until smooth and combined.    
• When the oil is up to temperature, use your finger to cover the hole in the bottom of a 1- to 2-cup funnel (with at least a 1/2-inch hole) and fill it to the top with about 3/4 cup of the batter. Position the funnel over the pot of hot oil and remove your finger to release the batter. Let the batter flow into the oil in thick squiggles, moving the funnel within a contained circular shape about 8 inches in diameter. Fry on the first side until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, then use a spider or tongs to carefully flip to the second side and fry for an additional 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove to the wire rack or paper towels and let drain and cool slightly. Repeat with the remaining batter.    
• For topping: Dust the funnel cakes generously with the confectioners' sugar, sprinkle with cinnamon and dollop with whipped cream before serving warm. 

Steps:

• Fill a shallow, wide pan with high sides with about an inch of water, and set it over high heat. Add the peppercorns, bay leaf and 1 section of the lemon to the water, and allow it to come to a bare simmer. Place the fish into this poaching liquid, and cook, barely simmering, until the flesh has just begun to whiten all the way through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Using a wide spatula, carefully remove the fish from the water, and set aside to cool.
• Empty the pan, and return it to the stove, over medium-high heat. Add the butter, and allow it to melt, swirling it around the pan. When the butter foams, add the celery, onions and garlic, and sauté, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and the onions turn translucent, then transfer them to a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, eggs, salt, pepper and seasoning salt (or paprika and hot-pepper flakes), then add this mixture to the bowl with the sautéed vegetables, pour the crushed saltines or bread crumbs over them and stir to combine. Add the parsley, and stir again.
• Flake the cooked fish into the binding sauce carefully, keeping the flakes as whole as you can manage, then gather them into small balls, and form them into patties, 4-6 for a main course, 6-8 for an appetizer. Place them on a sheet pan or platter, cover loosely with plastic wrap and transfer them to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
• Set a large sauté pan over high heat, and add to it the neutral oil. When the oil is shimmering, remove the fish cakes from the refrigerator, and carefully sauté the patties until they are golden brown, approximately 4 to 5 minutes a side. Work in batches if necessary. (A small smear of mayonnaise on the exterior of the patties will give them a crisp crust.) Serve them alone, or with greens dressed in a lemony vinaigrette, with the remaining wedges of lemon.