Lucille's Chocolate Date Cake

1 3/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dates (chopped small)
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup margarine or butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup nuts (pecan or walnut coarsely chopped)
1 (12 ounce) package chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch cake pan.

1. In a bowl sift the flour, cocoa and salt. Set aside.
2. In a glass bowl mix the dates, boiling water and baking soda. Cool.
3. In a large bowl cream the shortening and sugar, add the eggs and mix well. Scrape sides of bowl often with a spatula.
4. Alternately add to the shortening mixture the flour and date mixtures. Blend well after each addition.
5. Add the vanilla then beat on high for about 1 minute.
6. Spread in the prepared cake pan. Sprinkle the nuts and chips over the top.
7. Bake for about 45 minutes. When cool sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.