Lynsey Sleeps and eats in Austin...

A recipe inspired by a fabulous brunch spot in Austin!

By now you have all seen what I put in my suitcase for a recent wedding I attended in Austin! Maxi dresses and some western flair felt just right for a weekend in that charming Texas city.  With that said, putting on fabulous clothes wasn't the only thing I experienced in hip cowboy country.  Austin has undergone a culinary transformation and would be a great destination for any foodie looking for casual, indigenous fare.  And as a very featured side note, Austin has brought the American concept of a "food court" up to speed—forget about drab malls serving hot dogs on a stick and sad chinese food.  Instead, round up the wagons, or should I say a half dozen sleek Gulfstream Silver Bullet RVs set up in a semi circle dishing out fresh mex, sushi and gelato. With such inventiveness and imagination in its culinary arena, no wonder all of Autin seemed to be out dining! I arrived there on a Saturday around lunch, and the restaurants were packed!

Aside from the outdoor food courts that are scattered throughout the city, Austin offers an array of restaurants serving up local dishes.  One of those spots that we stopped by for brunch was Perla's, a seafood inspired must.  As we pulled up to Perla's I thought: "I could be very happy in this city"! Painted picnic tables and beach striped cabana chairs dotted the darling outdoor patio. In fact, it was so inviting that even though the thermometer read 105 every picnic table was filled...with a wait list to boot.  I ordered the crabcakes benedict and picked at my boyfriend's banana pancakes, which were perfect. And his sister's waffles looked divine! I have to admit, most weekends I prefer sleeping in, but Perla's made me fall in love with brunch again. 


I love to travel for many reasons. But, more than anything, I love being inspired by the places that I visit. And, because I love to cook, and especially love cooking in the summer, below is my recipe for sugar free strawberry lemonade inspired by the heat and charm of Austin and something I think Perla's should put on the menu.  I ordered for lemonade and they offered Country Time—a fabulous place like this should have something fresh squeezed!


Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade in my favorite new canister from Pottery Barn!

Needed:

Directions:

Needed:

* 3 bottles of Pellegrino

* 10 Lemons

* 2 Packages of Strawberries

* 2 Tablespoons Truvia

* 10 packets of Splenda

* 1 Tablespoon Honey

* One fabulous cabana striped drink dispenser from Pottery Barn

1.  Take that fabulous drink dispenser and pour 3 bottles Pellegrino into the dispenser.

2.  Squeeze 10 lemons into the dispenser. Cut each lemon in half after they've been juiced and drop them into the canister.

3.  Clean and cut all stems off the strawberry's, cut them in half and drop them into the mixture in the canister.

4.  Pour 10 packets of splenda, 2 tablespoons of truvia and 1 tablespoon of honey into the mixture. 

5.  With a metal kitchen mallet and a large slotted spoon, crush the strawberry's and lemons in the mixture and stir everything together.