1 lb. ground beef
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. sliced carrots
1 c. diced celery
1 c. cubed potatoes
1 lg. can V-8 juice
1 lg. can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp. Kitchen Bouquet
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. basil
4 c. water

Brown meat and drain well. Add remaining ingredients, cover and simmer 1/2 hour. Serve with cornbread. Great warmed up, too.