1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. finely snipped dried apricots
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. very hot water
1/4 c. butter
1 tbsp. grated lemon rind
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease and flour 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pan. In medium size bowl mix baking soda with hot water. Add apricots. Let stand for 10 minutes.

In a larger bowl, mix at low speed, beat sugar, butter, egg, lemon rind, vanilla, salt until well blended. Add flour and apricot mixture. Beat just until flour is moistened. Stir in nuts. Pour into floured and greased pan. Bake 55 to 65 minutes until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack, 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cool completely on wire rack.