Vegetable Mornay

Prep / Total time 30 minutes      Serves 8

6 to 8             medium carrots , sliced  1/4-inch thick
1/4                 cup water
3                    cups frozen  chopped broccoli
2-1/4             cups  frozen cauliflowerets
2                   jars (4-1/2 ounces each) whole mushrooms , drained
2                   tablespoons  cornstarch
1                   teaspoon salt
1/4                teaspoon pepper
1-1/2             cups milk
1/2                cup butter  , melted , divided
1                   cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
2                  tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/2               cup seasoned croutons

1 .         Place carrots  and water  in a 3-quart microwave-safe dish . Cover and microwave  on high for 2 minutes  . Ad broccoli  and cauliflower . Cook fot 6 to 9 minutes  longer  ot until vegetables  are tender ; drain . Add mushrooms  : cover  and set aside .
2 .         In another microwave -safe dish , combine  the  cornstarch  , salt and pepper . Stir in the milk  and 6 tablespoons  butter until smooth . Cover  and  microwave  on high  for 3 to 5 minutes  or until  thickened  and smooth , stirring  after  every minute . Stir in cheese  until melted .
3 .          Pour over the vegetables . Cover  and cook for  2 to 4 minutes  or until  heated through . Toss croutons  with remaining  butter ; stir into vegetables .

Smart shopping  for frozen vegetables:
When buying bags of frozen  vegetables , examine  the packages  for signs that they've  been tawed  and refrozen . Steer clear  of bagged  vegetables  that are  frozen in blocks  or large chunks . If the packages are transparent , check for crystallization . Both indicate  thawing  and refreezing  , which can diminish quality .