Split Pea Soup with Crescent Rolls

This was our dinner tonight, and I must admit it was a good one. I was a little nervous as most recipes I find in cookbooks or magazines don't exactly turn out looking (or tasting) as I would have hoped. But this turned out great and was very easy to prepare. I put in less of the ingredients my family doesn't like (onion, celery, parsley), but still used some for flavor.

Split Pea Comfort Soup

Ingredients:
1 package (16 oz.) dried green split peas, rinsed
1 Hambone OR 2 cups diced ham
3 carrots, peeled & sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks of celery plus leaves, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
1 tablespoon seasoned salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon fresh pepper
1 1/2 quart hot water


Directions:
Layer ingredients in slow cooker, pour in water. DO NOT STIR. Cover and cook on high 4 to 5 hours or on low 8 to 10 hours until peas are very soft and ham falls off bone. Remove bones and bay leaf.



Crescent Dinner Rolls

Ingredients:
1 pkg (1/4 oz) active dry yeast
1/4 C. warm water (110-115 degrees)
1 Tb. + 1/2 C. sugar, divided
3/4 C. warm milk (110-115 degrees)
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 C. butter, softened
1 tsp. salt
5-5 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
Melted butter


Directions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 tablespoon sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the millk, eggs, butter, salt and remaining sugar. Stir in enough flour to form a stiff dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes, Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1- 1/2 hours. Punch dough down.

2. Divide into thirds. Roll each into a 12-in. circle; cut each circle into eight wedges. Brush with melted butter; roll up wedges from the wide end and place, pointed end down, 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.

3. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Makes 2 dozen.