Step 1 Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 2 (9x5-inch) loaf pans.
Step 2 Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until fluffy. Slowly beat in the eggs, one at a time.
Step 3Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda and add to the egg mixture. Blend in the vanilla and sour cream. Stir in the nuts.
Step 4Divide the batter between the pans. Bake the loaves until golden, 55 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 5Cool the bread in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes, then invert onto the rack.