2 lbs. lean hamburger
4 qts. cold water
2 lg. carrots, diced
1 sm. onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
4 sprigs parsley, minced
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt

Slowly saute the hamburger in the bottom of a soup kettle. Pour off any fat which may accumulate. Add the water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1 hour. Skim off any froth which may gather during this time. At the end of the hour, add the vegetables, pepper and salt; cook for another 30 minutes.

This is a delicious light soup to use at the beginning of a hearty meal. It can also be made up, frozen and later used as the base for other, richer soups.