BOILED FRUIT LOAF.

Ingredients.....1/2 cup of chopped dates, 1/2 cup of sultanas, 1/2 cup of cold black tea, 1/2 cup of firmly packed soft brown sugar, 2 tbs of butter/ marg, 1 tsp of finely grated citrus rind, 1 egg, well beaten, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, 1 and 1/2 cups of self raising flour, 1 tsp of ground mace, 1/2 tsp of bicarb of soda. Preheat your oven to 180 deg C. Grease and line a large loaf pan (20cm x 10cm / 8" x 4"). Place the dates, sultanas,tea, sugar and butter/ marg in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for exactly 5 minutes, then set aside until cold. Then stir in the citrus rind, egg and vanilla extract. Mix together the flour, bi carb of soda and spice. Stir the two mixtures together, thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Serve sliced and buttered.