Autumn Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 lb. ground chuck
1/2 c. chopped onions
2 c. hot water
3/4 c. cut-up celery
3/4 c. cut-up potatoes
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 bay leaf, crumbled
pinch of basil
3 whole, fresh tomatoes, stems removed

Preparation

Brown ground chuck in heavy kettle.
Add onions and cook 5 minutes more.
Add remaining ingredients, except tomatoes and mix thoroughly, loosening the brown crustiness from bottom of kettle. Bring to boil; cover, then simmer 20 minutes.
Add tomatoes and if necessary, more water; simmer another 10 minutes.