Date Nut Bread

Mix the following ingredients and heat until warm:

Grated rind of 3 oranges*
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups orange juice
2 cups water (less 2 tablespoons if honey is used)
1/4 cup oil
1 ½ cups honey or 1 ¾ cup sugar

Mix the following together in large bowl:

2 teaspoons salt
3 cups whole wheat flour
3 cups white flour
2 packages instant yeast

Add warm liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix well. Add the following to the batter:

2 cups chopped dates
1 ½ cups chopped walnuts
1 ripe banana, mashed

Fill 3 well greased and floured bread pans ¾ full. Let rise until batter reaches top of pan. Bake 45-55 minutes at 350 degrees or until well baked.

Recipe makes 3 large or 5 small moist loaves. Freezes well.

*I blended 3 unpeeled navel oranges in the blender and then added enough water to make up the 2 cups.