Date-Nut Bread

In 2-quart saucepan, heat 1 1/4 cups water to boiling over high heat. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in dates and margarine or butter. Let stand until cool, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease 9- by 5-inch loaf pan.

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With fork, stir egg into cooled date mixture; stir into flour mixture just until evenly moistened (do not overmix). Stir in pecans. Spoon batter into loaf pan and spread evenly.

Bake bread 1 hour 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Cool bread in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on rack. Cut into slices to serve.