Apricot Nut Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups coarsely chopped dried apricots
• 1 cup water
• 2 and 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans ( or other nuts)
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 tbsp. Crisco plus more for greasing

Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease the bottom of a loaf pan.  Combine apricots and water in sauce pan and bring to boil then reduce to simmer for about 10 min. till water is absorbed.  Cool.  Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.  Stir and then add nuts.

Combine apricots, egg, buttermilk, and shortening in another bowl.  Did you know that you can add 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar to 1/2 cup of milk and it will make buttermilk?  You can substitute this in any recipe for the real thing.  Now, add to dry ingredients and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Spoon into loaf pan and bake for 55 to 60 min. or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean.  Cool for 10 min. and remove from pan.

ENJOY!!