Dates walnut loaf

It's baking time ! This is a traditional recipe which I came across recently in a random cook book. The origin of this recipe comes from Scotland and will surely please your taste buds. It's great for tea time munching. The crunchy walnuts and the distinctive taste of dates gives this loaf a very interesting flavor. In addition to this the other ingredients like lemon rind and the tea (to give a brown color) make it richer in flavor. So friends, try out this delicious loaf during this holiday season.

Pitted dates ½ cup chopped 
Baking soda ½ tsp
Lemon rind ½ of a lemon finely grated
Hot tea  ½ cup (regular, medium strong)
Butter 3 TBSP, plus extra for greasing
Light brown sugar ¼ cup
Egg 1
Self rising flour/ All purpose flour 1 heaping cup
Walnuts   ¼ cup chopped 
Whole walnut to decorate 4-5 nos

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 450 g/ 1 lb loaf pan and line the bottom with nonstick parchment paper.

Boil ½ cup tea and pour this to a bowl. Add the chopped dates, lemon rind and baking soda into this hot tea and let it soak for 10 minutes until softened. In another bowl blend together butter and sugar until it becomes soft and fluffy. Whisk in the egg and then add the date mixture, stirring continuously. Fold in the flour to this and finally add the chopped walnuts and fold in again. Combine everything well and scrape out the batter to the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Top this with whole walnuts. Bake until the bread has risen, firm and golden brown.That will take almost 35-40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then flip the loaf out and set aside to cool down completely(you can finish cooling on a wire rack). Enjoy with tea!!

Cheers!!!
Chitra