Sigh...the first sign of winter...

Yup, we had the first snowfall of the season today! I always see that as the first sign that winter has finally arrived. Somehow I don't think of it as winter until snow starts falling and the trees are barren! The first few snowfalls always give me a very warm feeling. I look forward to cuddling on the couch with my hubby, staring out the window admiring the snowflakes, while we sip on piping hot chocolate and warm cookies. This winter is going to be no different! With all the warm comforting recipes I have at hand, we are surely lookinh forward to lovely evenings indoors. time for me to crack up the stove and warm our home as well as our stomachs! I am particularly fond of clear soups. I don't really like those creamy or thick ones. I would be very happy with a clear broth with loads of delicious veggies, beans or meatswimming in it! But let's face it, neither do I have the patience nor time to spend hours boiling bones to get a hearty chicken broth. but that doesnt mean I'm deprived of delicious home tasting soups. No sir! I just take the help of store-bought readymade chicken broth and flavour it to my own tastes. Once I'm done with it, it's hard to believe it came out of a tetrapack! Spicy Lemon Chicken Soup Ingredients: For the Soup: 4 cups chicken broth 2-3 red chillies (I use the large ones) 2-3 pieces of ginger (about an inch in size) 3-4 garlic cloves a handful of basil leaves a couple of mint leaves 2 stalks of lemon grass, cut into medium-sized pieces 1 chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes and pan-fried in a little oil For the Garnish: 1 tbsp olive oil fresh chopped cilantro fresh chopped parsley 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice handful of baby spinach 2 tbsp thinly sliced onions Method: Boil all the ingredients for the soup together for a couple of minutes. Garnish with the remaining ingredients and enjoy with buttered toasts or crackers!