1 lb. lean ground beef
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery
4 c. hot water
2 c. 1/2 inch potato cubes
1 c. thinly sliced carrots
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
3 tomatoes, cut into eighths & sliced in half

Mix ground beef, onion and celery in 5 quart casserole. Microwave at high until ground beef loses its pink color, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring after half the cooking time. Add hot water, potatoes, carrots, salt, basil, pepper and bay leaf; cover. Microwave at high until potatoes are tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Add tomatoes. Microwave at high until tomatoes are tender, 8 to 10 minutes.