Banana Nut Bread

1 3/4 cups (c.) flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. shortening
2 eggs
2 tbsp. milk
1 c. mashed ripe banana
1/4 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

In mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda; set aside. In a separate mixer bowl, cream sugar and shortening with electric mixer until light, scraping sides of bowl often. Add eggs one at a time, and the milk, beating until smooth and fluffy after each addition. Add flour mixture and mashed banana alternately to creamed mixture, beating until smooth after each addition. Gently fold in the chopped nuts. Turn batter into lightly greased 8x4x2 in. loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 to 65 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool thoroughly on wire rack.