Grandma's Orange Date Nut Bread

Grandma loved quick breads, and she seemed to be making them constantly. Based on the number of drips, glops and mysterious whatsits all over the original recipe card, this was one of her favorites.

GRANDMA'S ORANGE DATE NUT BREAD
1 medium-sized orange
1 cup dates, pitted
2 tablespoons shortening, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten
2 cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
½ cup nuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Juice orange, reserving orange peel; pour orange juice into standard 8 oz. measuring cup, and add boiling water to fill cup. Remove most of white membrane from orange peel and put through food chopper (coarse blade) along with dates. Add diluted orange juice. Stir in shortening, vanilla extract and egg. Add flour sifted together with salt, baking powder, baking soda and sugar; beat well and stir in nuts. Grease and flour a 5x9" loaf pan, fill with bread mixture and bake about an hour. Makes 1 loaf.

Good for handmade Christmas gifts. Helps a sad friend feel better about life. Or just have a slice for yourself while you're at it.

Contributor: Norma Eriksson