Boiled-fruit loaf

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raisins/sultanas
• 1 cup water
• half tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2 cups self raising flour
• 1 cup castor sugar
• mixed spice
• 1 medium egg
• 2 tbs vegetable/sunflower oil

Instructions:

Put the water and fruit in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and add the bicarbonate of soda.

Put the flour, sugar and spice into a mixing bowl and mix until the spice is well dispersed. Beat the egg lightly with the oil, then tip it into the flour and sugar and add the water and fruit. Mix together until smooth and the powder is dispersed. Pour into a greased, lined 2lb loaf tin (or two 1lb tins) and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F/Gas Mk4 for 40-60mins or until done.