My sister made this bread regularly and gifted many loaves to Bishop Lyne in Chicago. He tended to think we were the same person, or at least that my number was Peg’s, because whenever he received the bread, he called me, not her, to say thanks!
Grease and flour one 9×5-inch loaf pan (or three mini-loaf pans). Preheat the oven to 350⁰F.
In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the hot water. Add the dates and soften for 5 minutes.
Add the beaten egg to the dates and combine thoroughly. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar and salt.
Add the date mixture, olive oil, and walnuts and stir just until no streaks of flour remain.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, and bake for 1 hour for the loaf pan (about 30 minutes for the mini loaf pans), or until the bread is golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.