In browsing here, I'm reminded of a meal that my older sisters made in 4-H many, many, moons ago. Hamburger patty, sliced or diced potato and carrot, some chopped onion if desired. Other veggies...
I think it is important to layer according to how fast the ingredients cook. It seems like it's hard to now scorch the meat a little if you have a lot of potatoes turnips or carrots in the mix. It helps to reduce the size of these pieces.We do meat, then roots, then greens. Like Dave, we poke them with a toothpick and you don't lose much steam that late in the game that way.