6 to 8 oz. dried apricots
2 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. orange juice
1/4 c. water (from soaking apricots)
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Rinse apricots. Cover with warm water and soak for 30 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. Cut into small pieces. Set aside.

Sift together the flour, soda and salt and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, work the butter until soft. Add the sugar, blending well. Add the egg and beat until mixture is light and creamy. Add orange juice and reserved liquid from soaked apricots. Mix well. Stir in the flour mixture and blend until smooth. Stir in nuts and apricots.

Turn into well greased and floured loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour or until bread tests done. Cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool and wrap in aluminum foil. Let stand 24 hours for easier slicing. May be frozen.