Ronnie's Notes
In my opinion, Tu ‘shevat - a celebration of the beginning of the planting season and sometimes called “new year of the trees” — is one of the most delicious holidays in the Jewish calendar. Fruits, nuts, grains are all on the menu. There are so many good choices, like this date-nut bread, a slight variation on the recipe my Mom made year after year when I was a kid! (She made it in a coffee can.)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 8”x4-1/2”x3” loaf pan (or a one-pound coffee can).
Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and orange zest into a bowl.
Add the fruits and nuts and toss the ingredients to coat the fruit with the flour mixture.
In another bowl, combine the vegetable oil, brandy and egg.
Pour the boiling water into the fruit-flour mixture and mix thoroughly.
Add the egg mixture and blend it in thoroughly.
Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake for or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for .
Invert onto a cake rack to cool completely.
Slice and serve plain or with cream cheese.