Chocolate Chip Date Cake
["1 c. dates (8 oz.)", "1 1/2 c. boiling water", "1 tsp. baking soda", "2 eggs", "1/2 c. shortening", "1 c. sugar", "1 1/4 c. and 3 Tbsp. flour", "1/4 tsp. salt", "3/4 tsp. baking soda", "6 oz. chocolate chips", "1/2 c. sugar", "1/2 c. nuts"]
["Pour water over dates; add soda and let cool.", "Cream eggs, shortening and sugar.", "Add date mixture.", "Add flour, salt and soda.", "Before baking, top with chocolate chips, sugar and nuts. Bake at 350\u00b0 for 35 minutes in a 9 x 13-inch pan."]
["dates", "boiling water", "baking soda", "eggs", "shortening", "sugar", "flour", "salt", "baking soda", "chocolate chips", "sugar", "nuts"]