Go - If You're Ever in Philly ...

Philadelphia is more than just history. It’s also a city of great spaces. The benefits of being on the Deleware River is the scenic views, cool breezes, and the way music echos across the water. Recently the Pier scene of Philly has exploded with them being revamped and restored for the perfect outings. You’ll find seating, hammocks, music, food. There are beer gardens, pop up shops, small dog areas, and substantial Philly arts presence.

I’ve lived in South Jersey, about fifteen minutes from South Philly for about three decades now and Philadelphia has always been, for me, the dark horse to always be compared with Manhattan. Over the years though, it has grown on me as our family started to grow and the two hour drive to New York wasn’t as easy as it used to be. Then Philly started to change. The art scene started to grow, the great restaurant offerings just continued to get better, and then the piers and pop up parks began. You had me at free day trips!

I grew up in Massachusetts, the middle of three girls. Family values were extremely traditional and my mom stayed at home and my dad was in construction. We grew up in a little house on a hill my parents purchased before I went into kindergarten on two acres of land, with woods behind to run free and a river to skate on in winter. When we weren’t home we traveled to Northern New Jersey and New York to visit family (where my love for New York started). Other than that my father was a fan of day or weekend trips. He would put us in the car and we’d drive to Vermont, Rhode Island, upstate New York, or where ever we could get to before my father didn’t feel like driving any more. We’d stop along the way and take pictures, pick flowers, look at scenery, and sometimes find a hotel for the night. I guess this is where my sense of adventure came from. It’s something that has been important for me to hand down to my children too.

So all the new sights in Philadelphia are wonderful and welcoming to me personally! We bring the kids and can spend a lazy day sightseeing, learning, people watching, eating, you name it. We explore in University City, shop and eat at Rittenhouse, hang out in South Philly, and now we do movie nights at The Oval, Concerts and Festivals at Festival Pier, drink rootbeer floats in hammocks at Spruce Street Pier, ice and roller skate at the Blue Cross River Rink at Penn’s Landing.

It’s Spring Break and we’re doing a staycation because we’re homeowners and this Spring is new siding and a new roof. Yesterday we took the kids to the newly renovated Cherry St Pier. A gorgeous space with the metal bones of the pier warehouse still in tact. The artist collective, Tiny Room for Elephants, has now found a permanent home there and the art is perfect for selfies and capturing your imagination. Just South of Race St Pier you could totally make a day of just Pier jumping and then walking the Philadelphia High Line.

So my friend, if you ever find yourself in Philly, don’t miss out on all that the “little big city” has to offer. You can make some great memories!

#JoyLifeTribe Recipe - Chocolate Chip French Toast Casserole

What really is the difference between a French Toast Casserole and Bread Pudding? At this moment I’m not completely sure, I’d have t get back to you on that one! Regardless of the name, this was the best one I’ve made so far, and I’ve made a few over the years.

I do what I like to call “The Grandma Method,” with cooking and even baking, when possible. That means I eyeball and estimate amounts. This recipe is the perfect one to try The Grandma Method.

Tips to Perfection:

Brioche. You cannot make a good bread pudding or french toast casserole with brioche. This time I used a chocolate chip brioche loaf.

Ghiradelli Chocolate chips because well, #ghiradelli

Adding a bit of condensed milk, helped keep optimal moisture, and texture.

Dousing the brioche pieces in melted butter. No one said this was low fat!

Letting sit overnight before baking.

Need to know before beginning:

The egg to total milk ratio you are achieving is about 1:1

Total milk is a combo of 1/2 dairy milk, half almond milk. You can change to all dairy milk, all almond milk, or all whatever milk you like. Be aware however, the richer your milk, the better the recipe. So I would NOT recommend using rice milk. or skim dairy.

Ingredients

9 x 12 glass pan with bottom and sides buttered

One loaf of Chocolate Chip Brioche

Butter (about 3 tablespoons)

5 to 6 eggs

2% Organic Dairy Milk

Almond Milk (omit if not an almond milk person)

Condensed Milk (about a 1/4 cup) Optional

Cinnamon (a dash)

Unrefined, Organic Sugar (about 3/4 cups)

Vanilla Extract (about a teaspoon)

Chocolate Chips (about a 1/2 cup)

Organic Brown Sugar (about a handful)

It should look like this before baking!

Chop up the brioche into small squares and put in the 9 x 12 glass pan that you have buttered on the bottom and the sides. Melt about butter and pour over the bread pieces. Gently toss around the bread pieces to make sure they are as evenly coated as possible.

In bowl combine eggs and milk to achieve a 1/2 and 1/2 ratio, condensed milk (if using), vanilla extract, unrefined sugar, and cinnamon. Whisk until completely blended, you don’t want to see any whites of the yoke.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over chopped brioche and then pour the egg mixture right over it. Gently move around bread pieces making sure all pieces are covered and there are no dry points sticking up.

Put in refrigerator overnight.

Sprinkle brown sugar over coated bread and put in a 450°F oven, not preheated. Remember, not all ovens heat the same. Adjust the temperature accordingly.

Remove when it’s golden brown and inflated.

Swirl a little chocolate syrup on a plate before adding a slice, then top with whipped cream.