All you need to know about bottle sterilizers

When you are feeding formula to your baby, it is very important to sterilize the bottles which you are using to prepare the feed as the newborns have an immature immune system. This makes them prone to many waterborne diseases. Although it is somewhat impossible to create a germ-free environment for the baby, sterilizing bottles help kill microorganisms that harm the baby's health. There are many ways to sterilize the baby bottles be it boiling, chemical sterilization or using a bottle sterilizer. Among all, steaming using an electric bottle sterilizer is something I prefer the most. I have been using this bottle sterilizer every day for 2 years and it does its job efficiently. You might use any sterilizer you wish to. All of them provide an equal amount of sterilization because they create steam through a heating coil. An adequate amount of water is poured into the heating coil and when the power is switched on, the water creates high-temperature steam which sterilizes the bottle efficiently. Make sure you place the opening of the bottles facing downwards.

Here I present you the benefits of using an electric bottle sterilizer:

1. Effective Sterilization: Steaming the bottles causes sterilization rather than boiling which leads to disinfection only. Sterilizing kills many bacterial spores which are even resistant to boiling. Bottle sterilizers can clean 99.9% of the bacteria which boiling might not be able to do so. Simply plug in your sterilizer and return back after the bottles have been sterilized. You can get clean bottles in a matter of a few minutes.
2. Convenient: Bottle sterilizers are very convenient to use. There is no water mess all around and it is a hassle-free process. It also requires less time as compared to boiling. One can get a hang of it pretty easily.
3. Less space consuming: No need of buying a large pot and no need to find a good space to keep it. Bottle sterilizers require very less space. Any table top might be sufficient. 
4. Safe to use: There is no fear of accidental spillage of hot water and as I mentioned earlier, there will be no water mess. Also, the bottles cool down faster as compared to boiling which might be easier for the parent to take out the bottles and prepare the formula. 

Many parents have the tendency of not washing and sterilizing new baby bottles which is an incorrect practice. Bottles may look squeaky clean at first sight but consider the number of bacterias and pathogens which might affect the sanitization property of the bottles. It is always advisable to clean and sterilize all baby bottles or any other utensils before use.


Cleaning the electric steam sterilizer:

Although electric steam sterilizers are very convenient to use, there is only one issue. The heating coil which is placed in the sterilizer might accumulate limescale which eventually damages the metal surface. It is advisable to clean the sterilizer after every two weeks depending upon the scales accumulated. Cleaning a bottle sterilizer isn't a big task. This remedy is almost advisable for all bottle sterilizers but make sure you read the instruction manual which comes with your bottle sterilizer before following these steps.

Pour 100ml white vinegar into the heating coil of the sterilizer and let it stand for 30 minutes to an hour depending upon the amount of limescale accumulated. Then rinse it off using a sponge and a mild liquid soap under your wash basin. Make sure you wash it a bit carefully by avoiding any contact between the wire and water. Also, clean the other pieces of equipment using a wet sponge. Your machine shall be sparkly clean without any deposits.


Bottle sterilizers are actually a boon to motherhood. Depending upon your model,  bottles can remain sterile up to 24 hours with the lid closed. I would recommend every parent to invest in one and see how easy the bottle sterilizing task will become.

Tip: I put RO water in the heating coil while sterilizing the bottles. RO water is less hard than tap water which makes the accumulation of limescale very less.

Tips for new mothers

Being a mother is the most tiring and the most satisfying job ever. The Moment the baby arrives, our 24*7 duty starts. Whatever activity we do depends upon the schedules set by the baby. Also, there a group of people giving advice which is sometimes irrelevant. It becomes quite difficult for the mommies to invite this sudden change to their lives. There is no such thing called 'perfect parent'. Nobody's perfect. Everyone learns from the mistakes committed. Comparisons in between parenting techniques of different people aren't correct. One should follow one's instinct and take decisions accordingly. Here are a few tips for the first time mommies.

1. Sleep Deprivation: I became a mother at the age of 22 and had no idea about this. My baby slept throughout the day and remained awake the entire night! It was a big shock for me. I and my husband spent numerous sleepless nights. It made us frustrated and out of frustration I used to cry and finally found out a solution to sleep when the baby sleeps no matter how many works are pending.
2. Bathing a baby:  Some people like to bathe their babies daily, but bathing a newborn every day isn't necessary. Its okay to bathe your newborn two to three times a week. It's better to give a sponge bath to babies whose umbilical stump hasn't dried or fallen. After the umbilical cord dries up, tub bath can be given. Use a small tub instead of a standard bathing tub and never leave the baby in the tub unsupervised even for a second.
   
3. Feeding a Baby: If you are a new mother, please ask the hospital nurse to teach you the proper latching techniques. Babies, if not properly latched to your breast can make the feedings painful. Find the position which suits you the most and feed accordingly. It's very important to check that the baby passes urine for at least 6 times a day and also keep a track of his weight gain. Please check out this for more breastfeeding related facts. If you are formula feeding your baby, sterilize the utensils required make the formula according to the directions given by your paediatrician.
4. Shopping for the Baby: Buy only the basic necessities. Babies grow rapidly. Clothing might not fit a baby after a week you have purchased. Instead, invest in gadgets like an electric kettle, a good breast pump, a bottle steriliser and so on. I had shopped for many clothes when my baby was born and I was surprised to see that they didn't fit after a week or 10 days. The result, many of the clothes lie untouched and unused resulting in a waste of money.
   
5. Maintain Hygiene: This was told by my gynaecologist right after my baby was born. Babies are vulnerable. Their immune system is weak as compared to the adults it's very important for the members of the family to ensure that the environment in which the baby is living is healthy. It's good to hold or touch the baby with clean hands. Also, wash or sanitize your hands while preparing the formula milk. Also laundering the baby's bedding often is a good practice and always make sure to wash your newborn's new clothes before you make them wear.
6. Don't Compare: Like I said, comparisons shouldn't be made between the parental techniques, it should also be avoided in case of the growth and progress of the baby. Just because your neighbour's baby was able to turn around at 3 months doesn't mean that your child will also do the same in the exact time. Each baby is different and develops differently.
7. Capture Moments: Do this regularly. They last forever. Maintain a baby log book and note down everything you wish is worth capturing. I clicked many photos and videos when my baby was young but now I feel I haven't clicked enough. Time travels fast and these captures will always make you feel elated.
   
8. Feel Good: Finally, feel good. if you feel good, you will make your baby feel the same. Its ok to frustrate, ok to forget something, ok to make mistakes. At the end of the day, you are the only one who knows your baby more than anyone else does. Always follow your instincts and do what the paediatrician says.

Parents are as wonderful as their baby is. You might make mistakes in parenthood and rectify them for sure. Babies outgrow their parent's lap but never outgrow their heart. Love your baby and always be confident because it ensures success.

Chhoto Macher Jhol

Bengalis and their love for fish cannot be expressed in a few sentences. Every Bengali function is incomplete without fish. In fact, many Bengali families start the first meal of the day with fish and rice. There are numerous styles of cooking fish in a Bengali family. Some fishes have a distinct technique of cleaning and cooking. The technique of cooking depends upon the size, fat content and bones. It can be fried, steamed, cooked in simple ginger tomato based gravy or can be cooked in mustard gravy. Some also like to cook this with vegetables or with yoghurt.

My love for fishes didn't start initially. Initially, I found them distasteful, ugly, smelly and disgusting. I developed feelings for them as I mentioned earlier, gradually. Now like many Bengalis I can't imagine a day without fish. The love is pure and completely true. Finally, without wasting any further moment, let's start the procedure.




Ingredients:

• Small Fishes ( I used Mourola) : 200 grams
• Potatoes: 2 Medium sized chopped
• Onions:2 Medium sized chopped
• Tomatoes:1 Medium sized
• Mustard Oil: 3 Tbps
• Nigella Seeds (Kalo Jeere or Kalaunji): 1/2 Tsp
• Turmeric Powder:1/2 Tsp to fry potatoes and 1/2 Tsp for marination
• Chilly Powder: 1Tsp (Add less or more depending upon your taste)
• Green Chillies: Optional
• Water: 1 cup (Less or more according to the consistency of the gravy)
• Salt: As per requirement
• Sugar: A pinch
• Coriander leaves: To garnish

Method:

1. Clean and wash the fishes accordingly.
2. Marinate the fishes with 1 tbsp mustard oil, salt, sugar, tomatoes, turmeric powder, chilly powder, onions and tomatoes for around 10 minutes.
   
   
3. Meanwhile, heat some mustard oil in a kadhai and temper it with some nigella seeds.
4. Once the oil gets tempered, fry some potatoes with 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and some salt.
   
5. Once the potatoes are half done, add the marinated fish and water and bring it to boil for around 10 minutes. Be gentle while mixing the gravy or else the fishes might break.
6. After 10 minutes, when the potatoes are done, switch off the flame.
   
7. Garnish the gravy with chopped coriander leaves.
   
8. Serve with hot steamed rice.

Easy Sylheti Recipe (Kakrol pur bhaja or stuffed teasel gourd fritters)

There is an undying love for food in our system. Whatever we do, no matter how much tired we are, the thing which refreshes our mind is a good home cooked meal we receive when we return home. The aroma in the kitchen is so inviting that it makes us drop our bags and rush towards the dinner table (only after we finish washing our hands!!!). This faithfulness towards my tastebuds and stomach makes me post another favourite recipe of mine. My mother always used to make this which I initially disliked during my childhood days. But the unavailability of 'Sylheti' cuisine in my hometown makes me crave for such things very badly. 

Sylheti food is mainly originated from the Sylhet district in Bangladesh (Previously India). There are sizeable populations in the Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur. Their staple diet is fish and rice. Their choice and method of cooking are very distinct from that of non-Sylheti cooking. Their food is tangy, spicy and also sometimes, has a hint of sweetness to it.

So, finally let's get started!!!

 Ingredients:

For the stuffing:

• Kakrol (Teasel Gourd): 6 pieces (Please make sure the kakrol is large in size. Small ones cannot be filled).
• Mustard seeds: 3 tablespoon
• Poppy seeds:    3 tablespoon
• Whole green chillies: As per taste ( I used 3)
• Chopped green chillies: As per taste (I used 2)
• Chopped onion: 1
• Turmeric Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Chilli Powder: Optional (I used 1/2 teaspoon)
• Salt: As per taste
• Sugar: 1/4 teaspoon
• Mustard oil: 1 tablespoon to add into the paste

For the batter:

• Rice Flour: 3 tablespoon
• Wheat Flour: 2 tablespoon
• Mustard Oil: 1 tablespoon
• Nigella Seeds (Kalaunji or Kalo Jeere): 1/2 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder:1/2 teaspoon
• Chilli Powder:1/2 teaspoon
• Salt: As per taste
• Sugar: A pinch
• Water:1/2 a cup (Add more or less. We want the batter to be neither too thick or thin.)

Mustard Oil: For Deep Frying.



Method:

1. Wash and remove the ridges of Karol. Cut them into vertical halves and pressure cook using salt and water for 1 whistle and remove the pressure as soon as possible. We will fry them later on. 
2. Now the toughest job, scrape out the seeds and the flesh of the Kakrol using a spoon after they have cooled down. 
   
3. Now discard the hard seeds and mash the flesh using your hands
   
4. Make a paste using mustard seeds, poppy seeds and green chillies.
   
5. Finely chop the onions and green chillies (I'm not a pro chef, so was unable to chop them that finely!!!).
   
6. Now mix the chopped onions, chopped green chillies, mustard and poppy seed paste, turmeric powder, chilli powder, salt, sugar and a tablespoon of mustard oil.
7. Combine the mustard mix with the kakrol's flesh.
8. Put the mix into the halved kakrols equally. After stuffing the kakrols, put them into a refrigerator for half an hour.
   
9. Now make a batter using the rice flour, wheat flour, turmeric powder, chilli powder, nigella seeds, salt, sugar, mustard oil and water.
   
10. Dip the stuffed kakrols into the batter and deep fry them in mustard oil.
    
11. Now serve them with hot steaming rice. 
    

  
Tip: For additional 'Sylheti' zing, fry some dried whole red chillies in the same oil and while eating, mix the rice with a chilli and some oil

Cooking from scratch (Lau er Khosha bata or Bottle gourd skin peel chutney)

We have heard about various recipes made out of scratch, This is one of them. It is made out of bottle gourd skin. Though this is nothing extraordinary, it is very close to my heart.


                                      

Lower Assam people are very fond of their 'Batas' or chutneys. They can almost create batas out of anything available. My mother is one of them. In fact, she is the one who introduced me to this recipe. Now, without wasting a further moment, let's dig into this recipe.

           Ingredients:

•     Skin of 4 Bottle Gourd
•     Green Chillies  - As per taste (I added 4 in the paste and 2 whole while cooking)
•     Green Bell pepper- 1 whole
•     Mustard Oil or any other oil of your choice -        4 Tbsp
•     Nigella seeds ( Kalaunji or Kalo Jeere)-                1/2 tsp
•     Garlic Paste- 2 tbsp
•     Red Chilli Powder- 1 Tsp (Or as per taste)
•     Turmeric Powder - 1 Tsp
•     Salt- As per taste
•     Sugar 1/2 Tsp

     Method:

.

1. Peel of the Bottle Gourd.
2. Now make a paste using the Bottle Gourd skin peel, green chillies and bell pepper.
   
3. Now heat the mustard oil till smoking point.
4. Add the Nigella seeds and let it splutter.
   
5. Add the garlic paste, turmeric and chilli powder and saute till the raw smell of garlic disappears.
6. Now add the green paste and add the salt and sugar. also add the whole green chillies.
   
7. Now cook the paste till the water evaporates and the paste turns into dark green colour.
   
8. Now serve the 'Bata' with hot steamed rice.
   

Hope you enjoy this simple recipe.