2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 eggs
1/4 c. cold water
1/2 c. finely cut up moist dates (opt.)
1 tsp. baking soda
2 med. ripe bananas, sliced thin
1 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. finely chopped walnuts (opt.)

Stir together flour, soda and salt; set aside. In small bowl, beat bananas until almost smooth. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at at time, until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and bananas. Add flour mixture to banana mixture; beat just to blend well. Add water; beat to blend. Stir in dates and walnuts, if desired.

Turn into greased 9"x5"x3" loaf pan. Bake in 350 degree oven 65 to 70 minutes or until pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 minutes, then loosen and turn onto wire rack to cool completely. Makes 1 loaf, 18 slices.

Per Slice: 194 calories, 3 g protein, 28 g carbohydrate, 8 g fat, 43 mg cholesterol with butter, 28 mg with butter.