French Toast: Egg Bread that went to Private School
Photo credits to Ziyaad Plaatjes
I'm not sure when we (and by "we", I mean "I") became "fancy" saying French Toast to name the description above. For a long time, I simply called it: Egg Bread.
There was the sweet egg bread, which my late dad used to make quite often and I enjoyed it, and then there was the savoury egg bread, that I referred to as "beda bread" - which, growing up in a South African "Indian" home, literally means egg bread as well.
The beda bread (savoury version) contains chilli flakes and a few spices, and I usually enjoyed them on road trips, which were made by an extended family member/ family friend (usually an older aunt).
The sweet egg bread on the other hand, has always been my favourite, mainly because my late father used to make it. To this day, I have never been able to recreate it exactly how he made it... perhaps it was just the memories surrounding this that makes me feel that his "pan toasted cheese sandwich" and "sweet egg bread" was the best.
For this reason, even though it never matches up to his (my dad's), I maintain that the best French Toast (Egg Bread) can be made at home just using bread, eggs, milk, and cinnamon, and depending on the accompaniments that you serve with it, will be the BEST FRENCH TOAST EVER! Recipes to follow.
But should you feel the need to go out there and explore the taste of French Toast in restaurants and cafes, I have listed a few places where you can indulge in the taste of eggy bread served with sugar, syrup or fruits and most likely topped with icing (powdered) sugar.
All you need is:
Slices of Bread
A whisked mixture that includes:
Eggs (you can start off with 1, but depending on the amount of bread slices you use, you will need to add more)
Milk (cream if you want to be fancy)
Cinnamon
Sugar * This, I would personally not recommend if you are dusting it with icing sugar on top or adding honey or syrups or chocolate spreads... but each to their own
French Toast is usually made with slices of bread that is old (not mouldy!), but variations have included using croissants and dipping them in the same mixture as well as frying them the same way one would do French Toast. I've found that slicing each slice of bread into 2cm sticks makes it more fun, as well as rolling it up like a swiss roll. The possibilities are endless!
Here are 2 Recipes from the contributors on iloveza.com, that we love:
The sweet and savoury of French Toast – Recipe Post
Recipe: Savoury French Toast by Aniseeds
Places around South Africa that serve French Toast
Tried and Tested:
EL&N Cafe: I tried the testers of their nutella french toast at their launch at Mall of Africa in 2023. The French Toasts looked pretty, unfortunately I wasn't impressed with the taste as it was quite dry. I would love to give them a try on a normal day though as that day might have been overwhelming.
Spur Steak Ranches: A few years ago Spur included this in their breakfast selection, but sadly Spur does not offer it on their menu any more.
Just Teddy, Hyde Park: Also tried this a few years ago, but I haven't visited this store since 2021, and neither have I tried the Sandton store. I do believe that their menu has changed, and there has been an increase of non-halaal products on their menu.
Not tried by us as yet:
As some places contain products that we cannot consume that accompany the French Toast, we will not be listing those stores, but here are a few which we hope to try soon:
- Mugg and Bean (nationally): Offer an Apple Crumble French Toast
- Upcycled Cafe in Boksburg: Offer French Toast and Sweet n Salty French Toast
- YML Eatery in Ormonde, Johannesburg: Offer Banoffee French Toast
- Shazmins Luxe Patisserie in Sandton: Offer Savoury French Toast, and Brioche French Toast as either Classic, Tiramisu, or Creme Brulee
- Antique Cafe in Durban: Offer Brioche French Toast
- Khans Bakery & Cafe in Homestead Park, Johannesburg: Offer French Toast
- Le Kreamery in Illovo, Centurion, Benoni: Offer French Toast with Berry & Mascarpone
- MiHa in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, and Centurion : Offer Nutella Stuffed French Toast and Dubai Style Karak French Toast
- Knead Cafe in Cape Town : I've tried the French Toast at the Knead in Kloof Street in 2013, but it looks like that one has closed down. I do believe there is a Halaal certified Knead in Newlands, CT, that has French Toast
Let us know if there are any places which we should add to the list.
Nabihah Plaatjes is the Co-Founder of iloveza.com. She is an Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Change Agent, Published Contributing Author, Journalist, Marketing and Social Media Specialist, a Bachelor of Arts graduate, and has been writing since the age of 9. Nabihah has recently been elected as the CEO of the Independent Media Association of South Africa. Nabihah is passionate about Brand Awareness and Brand Loyalty and uses her knowledge in these fields together with her copywriting, editing and proof-reading skills to bring brands to life. iloveza.com is a primary example of how she can build your brand. Find her at: Instagram: @nabihah_dp / @ilovezacom Twitter: @nabihahd / @ilovezacom Facebook: iloveza.com LinkedIn: Nabihah Plaatjes / iloveza.com YouTube: iloveza.com SoundCloud: iloveza.com E-mail: nabihah@iloveza.com
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