Art director, model, and mother, Elaina Bellis, recently gave us a peek into how she prepares her table for holiday brunch. From the beautifully-simple place settings to the mouthwatering cinnamon rolls, we can’t get enough.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
First and foremost, I’m a mama to iidentical twin gals, Quincy and Rowe. I think of myself as an all around creative person. I can wear many hats and often do. I love being with my family in nature and being at home cooking all day is my source of joy.
When did you first develop an interest in cooking? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked your passion?
My mom sparked the interest in cooking within me as a child, and then once I had my girls I found that that was when my interest in cooking really peaked. Someone gifted me It’s All Easy, by Gwyneth Paltrow and that book taught me how to cook. Cooking became a sort of meditation and quite time for me when life with newborn twins was anything but quite, lol.
Who or what inspires your cooking the most?
I love Julia Child. I love that she found her passion later in life, like me. It brings me so much inspiration that it’s never too late to start something new and work really hard at it.
Are there any specific holiday traditions—either from your family or your own creation—that have shaped the way you cook during this time of year?
I make cinnamon rolls every Christmas morning.That is our families tradition. I’ve done it now for 10 years. We deliver them to all of our neighbors and the girls look forward to that part of Christas us much.
The holiday season can feel overwhelming with all the cooking and entertaining. How do you stay mindful and present while you’re cooking and hosting?
I do as much prep as I can in the days before so that I don’t get overwhelmed. Organization is key when hosting. I also try and not stress about it, because ease in it brings more joy in the overall experience than sweating the small stuff.
Do you like to involve your family or friends in the cooking process? I would like to say yes, but no, I like to do it solo. It’s really like a meditation for me and a flow. I do like
Cooking with my girls, but have to remind myself that it doesn’t need to a certain way and to allow them to do as they want and not as I want.
Do you have a favorite holiday recipe you could share?
Smitten Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls!
Rapid fire:
Holiday cooking – love it or hate it? Love It
Pie or cake for dessert? Pie although I suck at making pie crust so bad and every year I offer to make a pie and always get so frustrated with the crust. I’ve been known to cry about a pie crust HAHAHA. Its truly the only thing that really rattles me.
Big family dinner or intimate holiday meal? Big family dinner. I love it.
Bake from scratch or use shortcuts? Bake from scratch
Favorite holiday flavor: cinnamon, gingerbread, or peppermint? Cinnamon girl 100%
One thing that’s always on your holiday table? Triple whipped brie cheese with fig jam.
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