Autumn Soup

1 pound ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
4 cups water
1 cup carrots, cut up
1 cup celery, cut up
1 cup potatoes, cut up
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp drippings (from browned meat)
1 bay leaf, crumbled
1 pinch basil
6 whole tomatoes, cut into wedges

Brown beef and add onion. Cook five minutes. Add water, carrots, celery, potatoes and seasonings. Mix thoroughly. Bring to boil, cover, simmer twenty minutes. Add tomatoes. Cover and simmer 10 minutes longer.
Serves about six people.