Split Pea soup with Sesame CrackerstickS

Madras Split Pea Soup and Sesame Crackersticks (not quite a cracker, almost a breadstick)
The soup is an Indian recipe. But to me it tasted like a very basic, plain yet hearty, bean soup. The flavors are very mild and delicious. We didn't try to mint yogurt but I'm sure it would be good.

SOUP
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups green split peas, sorted and rinsed
1 quart organic vegetable broth (one box)
2 large carrots, sliced
1 small box of frozen spinach, 10 ounces
1/2 teaspoon salt
RAITA:
8 ounces fat-free plain yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint or 1/2 teaspoon dried
Directions

1.To make the soup: Warm the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes, or until tender. Add the cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, and pepper and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
2.Add the split peas and broth. Increase the heat, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 40 minutes, or until the split peas are very tender.
3.Add the carrots, spinach, and salt. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes longer, or until the vegetables are tender and spinach is thawed and thoroughly mixed.
4.To make the raita: Meanwhile, mix the yogurt and mint in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
5.Ladle the soup into bowls and top each with some of the raita.

CRACKERSTICK
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/3 cup milk (almond milk)
6 tbs. melted butter (earth balance)
Sesame seeds and garlic powder/fresh garlic.
In a small bowl, combine first 4 ingredients. Gradually add milk and stir to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface. Knead gently 3 to 4 times. Roll very thin, think pizza crust. Cut into 24 breadsticks. Place butter in 2 13x9x2" pans. Put breadsticks in butter and turn to coat. Sprinkle with seeds and garlic.

Bake at 450°F for 14 to 18 minutes.

Soup from Prevention's "The Sugar Solution Cookbook" and breadsticks from Cooks.com