1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes
2 cans beef consomme
2 c. water
1 med. onion, quartered
4 sliced carrots
4 stalks celery
4 sprigs parsley
10 peppercorns
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. Tabasco sauce

Combine the first 8 ingredients in a large saucepan. Simmer covered for 25 minutes. Ladle part of mixture into blender and blend at low speed until vegetables are pureed. Empty into a large pan. Repeat process with remaining soup. Brown meat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add to soup with remaining seasonings, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with homemade bread and you have a delicious meal. Serves 10 to 12.