DATE NUT LOAF

The Cheddar Cheese really pulls the flavor of the dates and nuts into a very pleasing taste.

3/4 cup boiling water
1/2 pound pitted and chopped dates
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1-3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup sugar or Sucanat
1 egg, well beaten
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Pour boiling water over dates and oil or butter-let stand for 5 minutes or
until mixture is cool. Sift flour with salt, soda, and sugar
into a bowl. Stir in date mixture, beaten egg, cheese and walnuts. Sir
only until well blended.

Pour into a buttered loaf pan (9 x 5). Bake at 325 degree for 50 to 60
minutes. Turn out on a rack to cool. Wrap well in foil or plastic to
store. Makes one loaf.

DATE NUT BUTTER

1/2 cup (or 1/4 lb) unsalted butter (at room temperature)
3 tablespoons powdered sugar (I used a few drops of Stevia)
3 tablespoons pitted, chopped dates
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Whirl all in food processor. Makes about 1 cup. Enjoy. (This butter is awesome!ed.)

OATMEAL APPLESAUCE LOAF

1 cup applesauce
2/3 cup brown sugar or Sucanat
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup olive oil
1-1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Beat together brown sugar and eggs until smooth. Add applesauce. Sift
flour with baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into egg mixture.
Blend. Stir in olive oil, rolled oats, raisins and nuts.

Spoon batter into buttered loaf pan (9 x 5). Bake at 350 degrees for one
hour. Makes one loaf.

Contributed by Marilyn Cummelin, Picture by Marilyn Moll