The days of old.

I often find the best recipes in old cookbooks–I love that the instructions are basic, simple and don’t contain too much extra verbage and unnecessary explanation of each and every step…I have to admit that one of my biggest pet peeves of food blogs and cookbooks these days are the step by step by step by step instructions and the photos to go with them.  I realize not everyone has the same skill level–and some are novice, but seriously…

Here is a good loaf recipe, also from the Mennonite relief sale cookbook–and this is exactly how it is written–so old school!!


Moist Date Bran Loaf

Pour 2 ups boiling water over 1 lb. cut up dates and 1 tsp soda.  Let stand until almost cool. 
Add 3 tbsp soft butter and 1 tsp vanilla.  Now add 1 1/2 cups brown sugar and 1/2 cup (or more) chopped nuts and 1 cup bran.
Sift and add 2 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp salt.  Mix together.  
Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.  Makes 2 loaves.  
this is a moist dark bread and keeps much better than a secret.  Freezes well too.