Spicy Apple,date And Sesame Loaf

350 g/12 oz self-raising wholemeal flour
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground mixed spice, or 1/4 teaspoon
ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon ground mace,
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom and' 4 teaspoon
ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
grated rind of 1/2 lemon
50 g/2 oz Muscovado sugar
2 eggs, beaten
150 in1/1/4 pint plain low-fat yogurt
1 large cooking apple, peeled, cored and grated
225 g/8 oz stoned dates, chopped
50 g/2 oz sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to moderate (160 °C/325 °F, Gas Mark 3). Grease and lightly flour a 1 kg/2 lb loaf tin.

Sift the Hour, salt and spices into a large bowl, tipping in any bran left in the sieve. Stir in the lemon rind and sugar and make a well in the centre. Pour in the eggs and yogurt and gradually mix the dry ingredients into the liquid. Stir in the apple, dates and 25 g/1 oz of the sesame seeds.

Shape the mixture into a loaf and put into the prepared loaf tin. Press the mixture down in the corners and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Scatter over the rest of the sesame seeds and press them into the top of the loaf.

Bake in the oven for 11/2 to 13/4 hours until well risen and lightly browned. Allow the loaf to cool in the tin for 5 to 10 minutes before turning it out on to a wire tray to cool completely. Store for at least 1 day before serving.

MAKES one I kg/2 lb loaf

Variation

For 100 g/4 oz of the dates, substitute 100 g/4 oz chopped walnuts or 100 g/4 oz chopped glace cherries