Orange Date Bread *

1 egg
2 Tbsp butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large oranges, zested and juiced
1/3 cup boiling water
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour a loaf pan.  Beat egg lightly, then beat in butter and sugar until smooth.  Stir in 1 Tbsp orange zest, 2/3 cup orange juice (if the oranges don't make 2/3 cup then add water to the juice to equal 2/3 cup), the boiling water, and vanilla.  Stir together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in another bowl.  Stir in dates and walnuts.  Add flour mixture to egg mixture; stir to moisten.  Spoon into prepared loaf pan.  Bake until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.  Cool in pan 10 minutes.  Transfer bread to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 12 slices.