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I came out of the closet about my office supply addiction on my last post, and felt the unity and support from my fellow bloggers. It wasn’t until then that I started getting real with how serious my addiction was. This addiction has been something I have been dealing with for quite some time.
When I started my first job after college, I was thrilled when our group administrative assistant came to me and said “We have a pen policy at this company and believe that everyone should have the type of pens they want. Here is the Office Depot catalog…. take a look and let me know what kind of pens to order for you.” Seriously? A whole catalog full of every type of pen possible, and I could choose any kind I wanted? And the best part? You could change your mind as often as you wanted! She placed office supply orders often and if you wanted new pens then, she’d be happy to get them for you. Oh – and I always ordered pens that were different than everyone else’s… I was a pen hoarder and did not want anyone walking off with my special pens.
Several years later, I went to an Estate sale and stopped at the items everyone else was passing by. A box completely full of note pads, notecards and pens. A steal at $5 for the box.
I once had the genius idea of looking for pens and paper on Ebay, and discovered that apparently it is a very popular thing to sell. I, of course, bid and won a set of notepads and really great pens. A couple of years ago, my friend Julianne made my day by bringing me over a load of Pharmeceutical pens and sticky note pads. Her mom worked at a doctor’s office and had a plethora of pens and sticky note pads from the sales reps that came into her office. I seriously thought about changing my profession at the time… free pens and sticky note pads just for going to work? What a great perk!
Obviously, I’m exaggerating just a tad (okay… not really), but my love for office supplies really does tie in to my love for cooking. If I didn’t have an office supply obsession, and was not prepared with pen and pad of paper in my purse at all times, then I can only imagine the number of fantastic recipes I would miss out on. This Cod recipe, for example, was found in a magazine when I was at my doctors office. Yes, I was able to find it online later, but with my memory, there is no way I would have been able to remember the name of the recipe when I got home. So, there you go… everyone out there thinking that I need to get some professional help for my office supply addiction. I may be addicted, but good does come from it! Let me share this recipe with you, just to prove it.
Nantucket Baked Cod
| 1 1/2 | lbs fresh cod fish fillets | |
| 1 | tablespoon butter | |
| 1/2 | lemon, juice of | |
| 2 | small tomatoes | |
| 2 | tablespoons grated parmesan cheese | |
Spice Blend |
||
| 1/4 | teaspoon salt | |
| 1/4 | teaspoon paprika | |
| 1 | dash black pepper | |
| 1 | dash cayenne pepper | |
- Combine all spices in a small bowl and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 425°. Cut fish into 4 (two per serving), and place fillets in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
- Melt butter in a small bowl in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. Brush the top of each fillet with butter, squeeze little lemon juice on the fish, then sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the top of each fillet.
- Arrange 2 to 3 tomato slices over top of each fillet.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over each tomato slice. Each slice should be about half covered.
- Bake the fish, uncovered, for 8 minutes, then turn oven to a high broil and continue to cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until cheese on tomatoes begins to brown.
- Serve two pieces of fish per serving with rice on the side.
Kristen I’m impressed that this looks simple to prepare and looks great to put on the table. I may add a little more chipolte pepper and perhaps a little garlic powder.
I often write down ideas like that in my little notebook, then totally forget about them. Then I check my notes and I get fun little surprises and ideas for lunch or dinner! This dish looks delicious, can’t have too many fish recipes! 🙂
Yep, one good thing about being in the medical field is that you NEVER have to buy pens! I have about 15 sitting on my floor right now, just waiting to become the “chosen” pen…I usually go for the cute ones (i.e., pink!) first! This fish looks good…i’ve been thinking about trying something new with my fish recently and will have to do that soon.
When I worked at City Hall, we had a credit account at THREE (count them… THREE) office supply places in town. I could go WHENEVER I wanted and charge WHATEVER I wanted. Anything. Folders, pens, markers, hi-lighters, chairs (and I got a chair once!), file cabinets, colored copy paper, all manner of delightful things. Yes, I have an addiction too. 🙂
Here’s the key thing about your addiction — it’s that pen and paper that you keep with you at all times. I always have a little notebook in my bag, so I can write down recipe ideas, farmers’ phone numbers, reminders of ingredients I need to replenish in my pantry. Without the notebook, I’m lost!
That fish looks gorgeous. I can never resist a beautifully cooked piece of fish. I bet this would be good with blue hake, too!
I, too, have an office supply addiction. I put a “real fountain pen” at the top of my Christmas list from the time I was 10 until I got one at age 16. No joke. It was like “The Pink Ping Pong Ball”.
I find notebooks are good not just for jotting down recipes, farm markets and whatnot, but it’s also great for keeping the kiddos occupied in waiting rooms, at church, etc…
Gosh- these look GREAT too! Guess I should clarify… we’re pescetarian (so we do eat fish). Most people dont know what a pescetarian is, so for my own lazy, simple sake, I always tell people I’m vegetarian. 🙂
Totally with you on the office supplies! Although I’m more of a post-it chick than a pen person.
Cod is such a nice fish that often gets looked over. This is a nice simple recipe to highlight it.
I had to laugh, because I have to hide my “special” pens at work so no one takes them. And if one comes up missing, I can easily go to everyone’s desk until I find it, because no one has the same pens!!
This cod dish sounds great. I have been craving fish lately, and this sounds like a winner!
When I first saw this picture, I thought it was a big block of fresh mozzarella and will admit was in cheese heaven. I guess the reality of it being fish is better for the body, but I am going to still pretend it’s cheese, you know, I can eat anything I want in blogland.
If I had only known!! :o) I have access to drawers of pens and notepads from drug reps that visit the pharmacy! I could of been your supplier for years and didn’t even know it!
Next time you need a “fix” let me know and I’ll hook you up!
DeLynn
I worked at Kinkos when they were bought by fed ex. We had all of these note pads that had kinkos written on the binding. They were free for taking (within reason) so everyday I would grab a handful to take home. I don’t know how many I grabbed, but we are still using them.