A magic cat scratching board is a unique and innovative product designed specifically for our feline friends. It serves a dual purpose of providing a scratching surface for cats while also incorporating elements of fun and entertainment. Unlike traditional scratching posts, a magic cat scratching board is made from high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting. It often features a unique shape and design, resembling a wand or a toy, which instantly captures a cat's attention. One of the key features of a magic cat scratching board is its ability to captivate a cat's interest through interactive elements. It may contain dangling toys, bells, or feathers that entice a cat to engage with it actively.
In the U.S., the "Talisman" was a much slimmer affair than its 866-page Italian counterpart. Half the recipes in the Italian edition were deemed non-Italian in origin and were deleted from the English edition. Some recipes were added by the translator, Matilde La Rosa, who found them "very popular with her American friends."
It s an old-fashioned book with no head notes, no explanations, no translation of Italian terms, no identification of products, grumbles Nick Malgieri, the New York City-based cookbook author. It s easy to see why Published in 1928, the book which translates as the talisman of happiness in English quickly became a must-have for generations of Italian women and went through multiple editions and revisions.
It may contain dangling toys, bells, or feathers that entice a cat to engage with it actively. This interactive aspect helps to keep cats entertained for hours while providing them with a healthy outlet for their natural scratching behavior. Furthermore, a magic cat scratching board often incorporates elements of sensory stimulation.
Culinary Giant: Ada Boni
Ada Boni's cookbook "Il Talismano della Felicita" is considered to be the Italian "Joy of Cooking." It's easy to see why: Published in 1928, the book (which translates as "the talisman of happiness" in English) quickly became a must-have for generations of Italian women and went through multiple editions and revisions. It arrived in the United States in 1950 as "The Talisman Italian Cookbook" and was among the few authentic Italian cookbooks in English at the time. The book influenced and inspired home cooks and food professionals alike.
"Her recipes are genuine and reliable and traditional, and I like her books better than (Pellegrino) Artusi or 'The Silver Spoon,'" says Gillian Riley, the Italian food authority and editor of "The Oxford Companion to Italian Food," from London. "It seems to me she has a genuine, down-to-earth quality that's very accessible."
AdvertisementAnd popular. By the time Boni died at age 92 in 1973, The New York Times would note that "Talisman" and a later work titled "Italian Regional Cooking" were among the "best-known books on Italian cuisine."
Boni was born into a "comfortable, upper-middle-class Roman family" and began cooking for fun at age 10, according to the "Companion." She founded a food-focused magazine for women called Preziosa in 1915 and taught cooking classes in Rome.
Advertisement"Il Talismano" contained 882 recipes when first published, but that number rose to more than 2,000 with subsequent editions. Despite what the "Companion" describes as adaptations to changing tastes and the inclusion of "fashionable or foreign recipes," it says Boni's book "remains a classic compendium of the cooking of an aspiring middle class, striving for aristocratic gentility."
Lidia Bastianich, the Italian-born restaurateur, cookbook author and cooking television star, uses "Il Talismano" often as a reference. Italy was newly united and moving into the modern world, she notes, and people were relocating to the cities but still wanted to cook the dishes they loved. Boni helped them do that.
"For the young brides, and I'm talking about the 1950s when I was growing up, the book was a special gift," recalls Bastianich. "Grandmothers and mothers didn't write recipes down, and, finally, brides had something to follow."
In the U.S., the "Talisman" was a much slimmer affair than its 866-page Italian counterpart. Half the recipes in the Italian edition were deemed non-Italian in origin and were deleted from the English edition. Some recipes were added by the translator, Matilde La Rosa, who found them "very popular with her American friends."
The popularity of "Talisman" doesn't mean there has not been grumbling over the format of the English language edition.
"It's an old-fashioned book with no head notes, no explanations, no translation of Italian terms, no identification of products," grumbles Nick Malgieri, the New York City-based cookbook author. Yet, he quickly acknowledges its impact in introducing authentic Italian cooking to hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Bastianich concedes cooking from Boni's book can be difficult for an American lacking the feel for the culture in which Boni lived and cooked.
"She assumes users have some basic knowledge around the kitchen," says Bastianich, who notes the Italian edition is sprinkled with "QB" — "quanto basta" — which means, roughly "as much as is enough." Italian home cooks would know that. And if they didn't, Bastianich says, they could always turn to their mothers, their grandmothers or Ada Boni, who represented the "new emerging woman" who could and did work.
Advertisement"Ada was a feminist, if you will, but in a very nonthreatening way to the Italian male," Bastianich adds. "She said, 'Cook a home meal,' but at the same time there was a message, 'You can do other things, and I'll help you with the recipes.'"
Spaghetti all'amatriciana
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Note: In her cookbook, "Italian Regional Cooking," Ada Boni writes that the most famous pasta dish of her native Rome is spaghetti all'amatriciana, "the origin of which is said to be Amatrice, a little village in the Sabine country, on the border between Lazio and the Abruzzo." The sauce, she notes, is based on guanciale, cured pork jowl, "diced and mixed with tomatoes, peppers, onions and fat salt pork (purists omit tomatoes)." Lean bacon is substituted in the English translation of the cookbook. Some cooking sources suggest pancetta take the place of guanciale. The sauce makes just enough to coat the pasta; we've cut back a bit on the amount of spaghetti from Boni's recipe and doubled the tomatoes, in line with her version in "Talismano."
Ingredients:
2 1/2 tablespoons lard or oil
"Ada was a feminist, if you will, but in a very nonthreatening way to the Italian male," Bastianich adds. "She said, 'Cook a home meal,' but at the same time there was a message, 'You can do other things, and I'll help you with the recipes.'"
Some models feature textured surfaces that provide cats with different sensations as they scratch, adding to their overall excitement and engagement. Additionally, these scratching boards may contain catnip or other enticing scents, further attracting cats towards them. The advantages of a magic cat scratching board go beyond just providing entertainment. Regular scratching is essential for cats to maintain healthy nails and prevent them from becoming sharp or overgrown. By providing cats with a designated area to scratch, a magic cat scratching board helps to protect furniture, curtains, and other household items from potential damage. In addition to benefiting cats, a magic cat scratching board is also a practical solution for pet owners. It is compact and lightweight, making it easy to move around the house. Its sleek design adds a touch of style to any interior decor, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the home environment. In conclusion, a magic cat scratching board is an innovative and engaging product that fulfills a cat's natural scratching instincts while also providing entertainment and sensory stimulation. Its durable construction and interactive features make it a practical choice for both cats and their owners. With a magic cat scratching board, cats can enjoy hours of play while keeping their nails healthy, and pet owners can enjoy a scratch-free home..
Reviews for "Training Your Cat to Use a Magic Cat Scratching Board: Tips and Tricks"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the magic cat scratching board. My cat showed absolutely no interest in it. The material felt cheap and plasticky, and it didn't seem to provide any kind of stimulating scratching experience for my cat. I ended up having to buy a different scratching board that my cat actually uses.
2. Mike - 1 star - This product was a waste of money. I bought it thinking it would be a great way to keep my cat entertained and provide her with a scratching surface. However, she completely ignored it. The design is not very appealing and the material is flimsy. I would not recommend this product to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the magic cat scratching board, but unfortunately, it fell short. The size was much smaller than I expected, and the scratching surface was not effective at satisfying my cat's scratching needs. The material also started to show signs of wear and tear after just a few uses. I would not purchase this product again.
4. John - 1 star - The magic cat scratching board was a complete waste of money. My cat didn't even look at it. The design is unattractive and the material is cheap. It was not worth the price at all. I would recommend looking for a different scratching board that actually works and keeps your cat engaged.
5. Olivia - 2 stars - The magic cat scratching board was a disappointment. My cat showed no interest in it, preferring to scratch on the furniture instead. The material felt rough and cheap, and it didn't provide a satisfying scratching experience. I regret purchasing this product and would not recommend it to other cat owners.