My best friend's mother was (and still is) one of the best cooks ever...she has been winning baking contests for years. When I was a child, if I saw her take her rolling pin out I made sure I hung around long enough to get an invitation to supper...and dessert! She is known as 'The pie lady' in the New England town where she lives. This is the date nut bread that I remember her baking over 40 years ago (ouch). A few years ago I called her (after about 25 years) and asked if she still had the recipes for a couple of my favorites...and she did! I bake mini loaves of this to give the people on my meals-on-wheels route. I guess you wouldn't want to ask an EX mother-in-law for anything LOL!


DATE NUT BREAD

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup boiling water
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
2 tablespoons softened margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla

Sprinkle baking soda on chopped dates, pour boiling water over and let stand 10 minutes. Combine flour, baking powder and salt - set aside. Cream margarine, add sugar slowly then the egg. Add dry ingredients alternately with date mixture, stirring well. Add nuts and vanilla. Pour into a greased 9x5 loaf pan. Bake at 350° 45 to 60 minutes; test for doneness. Makes one loaf.