Foodie On the Road: Quitzow

Erica Quitzow is most known for owning indie Upstate, New York label, Young Love Records where she fronts quirky, electronic pop band, Quitzow. But what some may not know is that she’s a cook at heart. From cooking at home for her beau, Gary Levitt of Setting Sun, to trying new food joints on the road, Erica is always on the hunt for great and inexpensive food. I got to sit down with her recently and chat about her love of food where she shares childhood memories, her favorite recipes, shopping for ingredients and stories from the road.

When did you start cooking?
Ha! I love this question. I should try to scan a picture I have of myself standing on a chair stirring a pot on the stove when I was seven years old. But I was already well on my way at that point. The first time I tried to cook, I was about five years old, alone at home strangely enough, and I almost asphyxiated myself trying to fry an egg on a gas stove that I couldn’t figure out how to light. Later experiments involved baking custards and cakes with lots of food coloring in cast iron pots.

Do you feel a need to cook or is it fun for you? Or perhaps both?
Hmmm. Both. Being a musician requires one to live cheaply so when we go out it’s usually breakfast where we order breakfast specials which are super cheap. I also believe in paying the grocer, not the doctor, meaning I buy lots of high quality fruits and vegetables plus foods without a lot of additives and no high fructose corn sweetner. I also buy organic foods when it’s not ridiculously priced, and exotic stuff like pineapples and avocados, though I definitely try to stick to local produce. But when we’re on tour, it’s a whole different story. We eat tons of Mexican food: the more the better, and anything cheap.

Living in upstate New York, how would you describe the food scene compared to New York City where you play frequently?
Well, I’m really proud of the food scene in New York City; I was told by a Parisian recently that it’s the best food in the world! That said, I have my limited array of cheap places that I eat. Lots of pizza, Dojo, and maybe that cheap Indian place on Houston… Oh, and Mexican! Mexican food finally got passable in NYC, though it’s definitely better upstate. There’s fantastic Mexican food in Poughkeepsie, Kingston, and Newburgh. There seems to be a crazy creative food scene in NYC–I meet chefs and they’re always talking about caviar exploding out of crepes and onion-cumin martinis. Sounds fantastic, but I spend my money on gear, gas for gigs, and PR.

Any favorite post-show food spots in New York City?
San Loco on Stanton is pretty good. Dojo is great – healthy and cheap, though no one ever wants to go there with me, it seems it’s passe. I love the pizza on Bedford and 7th, Anna Maria I think! There’s a slice that has roasted garlic and red peppers with fresh mozzarella that’s amazing. Plus the guys working there are cute and funny and make me homesick for Los Angeles.

What are your eating habits on the road?
Again, tons of Mexican food. While we were in Europe last winter I basically ate bree, bread, arugalla, olives, chocolate and drank cappucinos non-stop in the van then got fed multiple coursed meals by charming people everywhere we went. It was hard work!

Do you miss the food from your European tour last year?
Yes! Yes I do. Firstly, because it’s free! Anything free really tastes better to me, I equate it with freedom and not having to slave at a job I hate. The food was of course, particularly great in Italy. Just beautiful food prepared and presented in this incredibly festive, generous way. The people and the food, both so good. Great food in France, even in Germany, amazing food. We were treated and fed very well everywhere.

Any funny cooking stories you want to share?
Well, the crepe with caviar thing was an idea for a food item called a “Jackpot” inspired by my song of the same name. I’m talking with a chef about throwing a party together with food and music. I should really make that one happen, I’m getting hungry with all this talking about food!

Do you have a favorite summer meal or recipe?
Year round… You know my sunflower dressing! It’s so good on anything and even people who are totally opposed to hippy food seem to like it. It’s basically: raw sunflower seeds with olive oil, soy sauce, parsley, garlic, apple cider vinegar and spices (tarragon, rosemary, basil) and maybe throw in some cayenne in the blender until creamy. Play with the ratios until it works! Oh, and I make really good pies. Mango cardamom is my favorite, though Indian cooks have told me you’re not supposed to combine those flavors, I think it’s delicious! I make a mean chocolate pudding that’s really good for you, ask anyone that frequents my house. I go on baking sprees and invent deserts, some turn out fantastic. I once made an amazing walnut chocolate cake that I haven’t yet been able to re-make.

 

Erica just wrapped up a residency at Lower East Side’s Piano’s this month with Quitzow. But if you missed her in New York City, go out and celebrate the 4th of July with Quitzow and their main man, Setting Sun at 60 Main in New Paltz with up and coming folk rocker, Dufus. For more info on where Erica’s next food adventure will be, follower her on twitter @EricaQuitzow.

*By Alisha, who now is hungry for some sweets on this Monday night.

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