3 sq. (3 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2/3 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 c. shortening
1 c. mashed ripe banana (about 2 med. bananas)

Melt semi-sweet chocolate; cool. In a small mixing bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.

In a large mixer bowl beat sugar and shortening on medium speed of electric mixer until light, scraping sides of bowl often. Add eggs, one at a time, and the melted chocolate, beating until smooth and fluffy after each addition. Add flour mixture and mashed banana alternately to beaten mixture, beating until smooth after each addition. Fold in nuts.

Turn batter into 2 lightly greased 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 inch loaf pans or 1 lightly greased 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven about 35 minutes for the small loaves or 45 to 50 minutes for the large loaf or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool thoroughly on a wire rack. For easier slicing, wrap loaves in foil and store overnight. Makes 2 small loaves or 1 large loaf.