The stomach is not only the way to the heart. In a humorous way, the cookbook by Gabriele Edlbauer and Julia S. Goodman, two artists living and working in Vienna, addresses complex feelings and hard truths through chicken recipes. Similar to Engagement Chicken, published by US cookbook author Ina Garten, the 18 recipes in If You Cant Say It with Words, Say It with Chicken are designed to help readers communicate emotionally difficult announcements.
In developing the book, the authors were inspired by their very different cultural backgrounds. Julia Goodmans ancestors were mostly Eastern European Jews who emigrated to the USA at the beginning of the 20th century. Gabriele Edlbauer on the other hand grew up on an organic farm in the predominantly Catholic Mühlviertel region of Upper Austria. The artists worked together to create not only the recipes, but also the props, sculptures, and tableware. In order to highlight the emotions associated with these dishes, the meals were staged in various culinary locations, some of them very unconventional: for example, in a sterile doctors surgery in Vienna or in a friends dimly lit bathroom.
The result is a book filled with emotional recipes. Accompanied by creative serving suggestions, it invites you to express yourself through chicken!
Before You Begin
Introduction 9
Notes on Measuring, Kosher Salt & Salmonella 11
Schmaltz & Gribenes 14
Recipes
Were Too Entangled Chicken
Chicken Liver Pasta 16
Im a Smoker Chicken
Chicken Nuggets with Two Dips
& Chicken Fat Washed Bourbon Cocktail 22
Youve Changed Chicken
Russian Chicken 28
Lets Just Be Friends Chicken
Caesar Salad 34
I Want to Move in Chicken
Chicken Pot Pie 40
Lets Take Things Slow Chicken
Sous Vide Chicken Breast with Fried Skin & Mole 46
I Left the Church Chicken
Popes Nose Amuse-bouche 52
Ive Had a Change of Heart Chicken
Chicken-filled Coconut Macaroons 56
You Were Our Backup Plan Chicken
Basic Roast Chicken 64
Im Very Sick Chicken
Matzo Ball Soup 70
I Love You Chicken
Brined Roast Chicken with Tomatoes 76
I Froze My Eggs Chicken
Chicken Sorbet & Egg, Turmeric, Cardamom Ice Cream 82
Lets Be Friends with Benefits Chicken
Backhendl Salat 88
I Hate You Chicken
Salmonella Spell 94
Meet My Parents Chicken
Deviled Eggs & Chopped Liver 100
Give Me a Second Chance Chicken
Sloppy Chicken Sandwiches 106
Im Not the Person You Think I Am Chicken
Currywurst Chicken-filled French Fries with Reversed Ketchup & Mayo 112
Goodbye Chicken
Babka Chicken Salad Sandwiches 120
Information
About 129
We Would Like to Thank 131
Credits 133
Imprint 135
Julia Goodmans first verified exhibition was ArtSpan Presents: 30 Under Thirty at Varnish Fine Art in San Francisco, CA in 2008, and the most recent exhibition was Julia Goodman: I guess the diets working at ZAHORIAN & VAN ESPEN in Bratislava in 2022. Julia Goodman is most frequently exhibited in United States, but also had exhibitions in Austria, Australia and elsewhere. Goodman has at least two solo shows and 21 group shows over the last 14 years. A notable show was Paper Routes Women to Watch 2020 at National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC in 2020. Other notable shows were at DePaul Art Museum in Chicago, IL and The Contemporary Jewish Museum (The CJM) in San Francisco, CA. Julia Goodman has been exhibited with Jenny Kendler and Gabriele Edlbauer. Gabriele Edlbauers first verified exhibition was Archive in Residence at Vereinigung bildender Künstlerinnen Österreichs (VBKÖ) in Vienna in 2008, and the most recent exhibition was Academy Auction 2024 at Akademie der Bildenden Künste Wien in Vienna in 2024. Gabriele Edlbauer is most frequently exhibited in Austria, but also had exhibitions in United States, Bulgaria. Edlbauer has at least two solo shows and 25 group shows over the last 16 years. A notable show was Gabriele Edlbauer - Giuliani at Startgalerie in Vienna in 2016. Other notable shows were at Belvedere 21 in Vienna and Kunsthalle Wien Museumsquartier in Vienna. Gabriele Edlbauer has been exhibited with Cäcilia Brown and Noėle Ody.
