1 lb. ground beef
1 c. chopped onion
4 c. water
1 c. cut up carrots
1 c. diced celery
1 c. cubed, pared potatoes
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Gravy Master
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
1/8 tsp. basil
6 whole tomatoes or 1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes

Brown meat, drain off fat, saute onions in butter until tender, about 5 minutes. Combine all ingredients except tomatoes, heat to boiling, cover, simmer 20 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook 10 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. 6 servings.