Crescent Rolls - Two Ways

Teacher's Appreciation Week is going on at my kid's school. In some schools just one day is observed while in some others, the whole week is celebrated. I like the concept of using a whole week to show your appreciation towards your child's teachers.

When I was a kid, I remember we used to observe 5^th September as Teacher's Day at school. All the children would get flowers, cards & gifts for the teacher and organize stage shows, quizzes & games for the teachers to participate. No studies for the whole day - just fun and frolic, and for a change, relaxed teachers!

Here, at my son's school, things are a bit different. Of course the kids took flowers etc for the teachers, but apart from the kids doing certain things, the parents have also actively participated . We decided to cook different things and take it to the teachers each day. Today was my turn and I picked snacks. I decided to make crescent rolls (since it is easy and delicious, not to mention quick to make & non fussy early in the morning!)

I have previously written a post on Cheesy Potato Rolls. But this time, I wanted to make it more cheesy & less spicy since it was for the teacher's at school. Also, I wanted to make two kinds of rolls - something sweet & something savory.

For the savory version, I have stuck to potatoes but reduced the quantity of mint coriander chutney used. I also added a different flavor of cheese. As far as the sweet version is concerned, I wanted to give it a good texture, so I used walnuts. Cinnamon cream cheese spread went well with it and nutella gave it that additional kick. But it still needed a little more sweetness. So, instead of using just sugar, I added some almond milk masala powder that I had in my pantry. It added just the right amount of sweetness along with the almond & elaichi flavors!

I used 3 tubes for crescent rolls because I needed that many. Feel free to reduce the quantity to suit your need. Also, the cream cheese and flavors used don't have to be strictly enforced - go ahead and try out your own preferred flavors...

Preparation & Cooking: 25 minutes             Makes: 12 sweet & 12 savory rolls

Ingredients:

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls - 3 tubes (I used the original one, you could use any kind)
Cooking Spray/Oil - for greasing the baking sheet
For the savory filling:
Instant Mashed Potato Flakes - ¼ cup

Mrs.Dash's Table Blend - 1 teaspoon
Creamy Swiss Laughing Cow Cheese - 2 wedges

Milk - 1 tablespoon
Sour Cream - 2 teaspoons
Mint-Coriander Chutney - 2 teaspoons
Salt - to taste
For the sweet filling:
Powdered Walnuts - 3-4 tablespoons
Chopped Walnuts - 1 tablespoon
Cinnamon Cream flavored Laughing Cow Cream Cheese Spread - 3 wedges
Sour Cream - 1 teaspoon
Cream Cheese - 1 tablespoon
Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) - 2 tablespoons
Almond Milk Powder - 2 teaspoons

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease a baking sheet or cover it with some aluminum foil or parchment paper.
• For the savory filling, microwave the mashed potato flakes, Mrs.Dash's table blend, creamy Swiss cheese, milk, sour cream, mint-coriander chutney and salt for 2-3 minutes.

• Mix them until well blended and set aside.

• For the sweet filling, take all the ingredients listed under "sweet filling" in a separate bowl.

• Mix well and set aside.

• Now, roll out the crescent roll wedges and place a small amount of savory potato-cheese filling in half of them.

• Roll them up and place them on the prepared baking sheets.

• Next, place a small amount of the sweet nutella-walnut-cream cheese filling on the remaining dough wedges.

•  Roll them up and place these also on the prepared baking sheets.

• Bake in the oven for about 12 minutes. 

• Once they turn golden brown, take them out of the oven.

Quick and yummy crescent rolls, both sweet and savory, are ready to be served. These are a perfect snack to serve at tea.

Handy Tip:

If you don't have Mrs.Dash's Table Blend, you could use any mix of dried spices like pepper, oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, parsley etc.

You could skip the mint-coriander chutney while making for kids if spice is not tolerated.

Experiment with different cream cheese flavors as well as nuts.