Everyone’s mom or grandma has a saying that always ends up sticking with them. It may be a wise saying, a humorous one, or simply to scare a child from doing certain things. My grandma (savta), would always tell me, er, more like yell at me, “Not with your teeth!”

I use my teeth for everything: to open stuff, to tear hanging thread off clothing, to hold something while I am doing other things with my hands, to open bottles… They’re a great tool. If savta catches me, she squints her eyes and gives me a little smack.

Once, when my brother and I were in our early years of grade school, I learned exactly why you shouldn’t ever use your teeth. Mom, please forgive me for telling this story.

It was a Wednesday evening, we were supposed to go out some place, and of course, my brother wasn’t ready to go. We were pretty late and he was giving my mom a tough time, just for fun I would imagine.

My mom was in the kitchen when she lost her patience, “Yoni, let’s go! We’re already late! Get your shoes on! LET’S G…….”

Her crown popped right out of her mouth and flew behind the stove. My brother and I fell silent. You see, we were too young to understand what a dental crown was so we assumed it was her tooth, her front tooth to be exact. She started panicking, trying to move the stove to get at her tooth, er, at her crown.

It was one of those really old, heavy stove/ovens with counter top cabinets on either side, so she couldn’t get behind it. My dad was on a week long business trip, and my brother and I were rendered useless.

She ran over to the neighbor’s place and asked him to come over to retrieve the crown. The entire time my brother and I sat at the kitchen table, wide eyed with our mouths agape. Finally, she was able to grab the crown and glue it back in place.

I’ll never forget turning to my brother while this was all happening and saying to him, “Don’t make mom mad because her teeth will fall out.” I really meant it.

Don’t use your teeth, or else you’ll have to get them crowned, and then you’ll end up in an embarrassing debacle at some point of your life (hopefully, just with your children, and your neighbor). I still use my teeth, a lot.

And here’s a great recipe for Apple Fritters! I decided that I’m not making jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot) for Hannukah this year, even though they are the most delicious things in the world. This is a fantastic alternative that gives you that same warm dessert feeling you want during the holiday season.

Apple Fritters with Pecan Dulce de Leche
and ice cream

For Apple Fritters : adapted from Martha Stewart Everyday Food Magazine
4 medium Granny Smith apples
1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP sugar
2 TBSP cinnamon
2 cups buttermilk
4 tsp vegetable oil plus 2 cups for frying
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 TBSP vanilla bean paste, (or vanilla extract)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Peel and core the apples. Slice them into 1/2 thick rings.
In a medium sized bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup of sugar and all of the cinnamon and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, 4 tsp vegetable oil, and eggs until combined. Stir in the flour, 2 TBSP sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix until well combined. It may be a tiny bit lumpy.

In a large skillet with high sides, heat 2 cups vegetable oil to 375˚F. (Drop some batter into the oil, it should bubble rapidly).

In batches, coat the apples in the batter and lay them into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on each side (about 4 minutes per batch). Transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels.

Toss the apples in the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Plate immediately.

For the Pecan Dulce de Leche:
1 cup dulce de leche
1/2 cup pecans, chopped roughly

Heat the dulce de leche in the microwave for about 30-40 seconds until runny. Mix in the pecans.

Top the apples with the pecan dulce de leche.

Add ice cream if your heart desires. Or just serve with ice cream on the side.

SERVE IMMEDIATELY!
and enjoy! =)