I have a microwave steamer which I tend to use for mashed potatoes, or a steamer pot that goes on top of an ordinary saucepan; I only use the IP for potatoes if I'm using it for something else as well - e.g. hard-boiled eggs (which I like in a cauliflower cheese), or perhaps if I am cooking swede (rutabaga) underneath. You can make loads of different pasta sauces, not just tomato! And fish is so easy to cook - if you are making, for instance, a fish pie it doesn't even need pre-cooking! Just dice it and throw it in to a parsley sauce, maybe with some peas or sweetcorn, top with mashed potato and put in the oven for 30 minutes or so. There are loads of recipes, many vegetarian or vegan, on my food blog, if they are of any help to you. http://mrsredbootsfood.blogspot.com/