My sons got me a mandolin for Father's Day. Son Two is coming for dinner today, and we enjoy cooking together.?

I use my mandolin whenever I make scalloped potatoes or potatoes dauphenoise. It's also good for french fries, slaw, julienned sauteed vegetables (like zucchini, carrots).

How about potatoes dauphinoise to accompany the chicken ?

You could even do some kettle chips and root vegetable slices and fry in olive oil for nibbles before your meal.

A vegetable casserole layered up with herbs and stock would also be lovely with your chicken.

I do hope you enjoy your time with your son. I love having my daughter over doing just the same.

Have to say, when I first saw your question thought he had given you a musical instrument, and was thinking about Greek food! Sure your name is not Captain Corelli ?

Hambone, shame on you my friend, that question coming from you. Sliced potato for potato bake. You can slice large tomatoes, and present them on a platter with mozzarella di buffalo, garnished with basil leaves. Hambone I slice up celery, cucumber, shred carrots, even the hole beets you buy already pickled in jars.

Your sons gave you a great gift my friend, just keep your fingers out of the way, I can show you from experience what can happen lol. That's because I was in a hurry being stupid, and not using the guard.

guacamole can require a bunch of slicing (depends on how big of a batch you're making) and as a dish it's pretty versatile (with crackers, topper for chicken, or salad) and if you put it on salad, you'll have the excuse to chop up salad veggies too :P

You could make a nice salad with lightly fried, thin strips/ribbons of courgette (zucchini). It is a very flexible base, so once you have the courgette ribbons, you could add any sort of dressing or other ingredients.