Ingredients: - 1 cup pitted dates, cut up
- 1-1/2 t. baking soda
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1/4 cup carob powder
- 3 T. safflower shortening
- 3/4 cup, plus 1 T., boiling water
- 1 t. orange blossom water or vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup honey (warmed to pouring consistency)
- 1-1/4 cups whole wheat flour
Place the dates, baking soda, salt, and carob powder in a mixing bowl. Toss lightly with a fork. Add the shortening and boiling water, but do not stir. Let stand 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°.
Combine the eggs and orange blossom water or vanilla. Add the honey and flour, stirring until well blended. Add the date mixture, stirring just to blend. Pour into a well-greased 9- by 5-inch loaf pan. Bake 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool before removing from pan. Serve plain or top each slice with plain yogurt sweetened with a little honey.
VARIATION:
Replace carob powder with 3/4 cup chopped walnuts. Decrease the amount of boiling water by 1 tablespoon and replace honey with 1 cup sugar.
Yeild: 1 loaf or 16 slices.
From "The Global Kitchen" by Karen Gail Brooks and Gideon Bosker, M.D. 
