1 c. boiling water
1 1/2 c. raisins
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. bran cereal (or coarse bran from health food store)
1 c. sugar (or 1 cup packed brown)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/4 c. oil
1/2 c. nuts (optional)

Pour boiling water over raisins and soda in small bowl. Stir together dry ingredients. When raisins are cool, pour into dry mixture and mix thoroughly.

With fork, lightly beat together egg and oil. Stir into flour mixture - add nuts. Pour into greased and floured loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until pick inserted in center is clean. Cool 15 minutes on rack, then turn out onto rack to finish cooling.