Set thin strips of ham, cooked chicken or tofu on top of the vegetables. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Test for doneness by piercing a potato with a fork - the fork should slip out without lifting the potato. Add topping of grated cheese, mushroom sauce or just thin slivers of butter. Sprinkle with parsley.
Substitutions can include carrots cut in larger pieces and started with the potatoes.
String beans can be added after the potatoes have had 5 to 10 minutes head start. Mushrooms can be added after about 10 - 12 minutes. Cooked fish, shrimp or tofu can be used as meat substitutions. Pasta-based meals 1. In a large, deep skillet add 1 tbsp olive oil and a pound of meat, cubed or ground.