Ingredients

• 6  medium baking potatoes (about 2 pounds)
• 3  medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced (1-1/2 cups)
• 2  bay leaves
• 2  leeks, cut into 1/2-inch slices (about 1 cup)
• 2  tablespoons margarine or butter
• 2  tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 1/2  teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4  teaspoon white or black pepper
• 1  12-ounce can (1-1/2 cups) evaporated milk
• 3/4  cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese (3 ounces)
• 1/2  cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
• 1/4  cup seasoned fine dry bread crumbs
• 2  tablespoons margarine or butter, melted

Directions

1. Peel potatoes; thinly slice. In a 3-quart saucepan combine potatoes, carrots, and bay leaves. Add water to cover. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, trim leeks, discarding the first 2 inches of the ends, and the first inch and outer leaves of the tough green tops. Wash leeks well. Add leeks to potato mixture. Cook, covered, 3 minutes or until vegetables are just tender. Drain well; discard bay leaves.

3. For sauce, in same saucepan melt 2 tablespoons margarine or butter. Stir in flour, salt, nutmeg, and pepper. Add evaporated milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Add 1/2 cup of the Gruyere cheese; stir until smooth.

4. Transfer the vegetables to a lightly greased 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Carefully spoon the warm cheese sauce over potato mixture; spread with the back of a spoon to coat the vegetables.

5. For crumb topping, in a small mixing bowl stir together grated Parmesan cheese, seasoned fine dry bread crumbs, and 2 tablespoons melted margarine or butter. Sprinkle the topping over the potato mixture.

6. At serving time, bake the casserole, uncovered, in a 350 degree F. oven about 15 minutes or until the cheese sauce is bubbly around the edges of the dish. Sprinkle with the remaining shredded Gruyere cheese. Bake about 5 minutes more or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through. Makes 6 to 8 side-dish servings.

Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare as above, except do not bake. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F. oven about 25 minutes or until cheese sauce is bubbly around edges of dish. Sprinkle with remaining shredded Gruyere cheese. Bake about 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through.