1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped coarsely
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 (1 pound 12 ounce) can tomatoes
3 cans consomm?br>2 cans water
4 medium carrots, quartered
4 celery tops
6 sprigs parsley
1/2 teaspoon thyme
10 peppercorns
Salt and pepper (if no peppercorns)

Melt butter in large heavy kettle. Saut?onion and cook until limp. Add ground beef and stir until it loses the raw look. Put all ingredients into a crockpot, and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours. If using leftover vegetables or zucchini, add and cook longer depending on your crockpot.

Serves 6 generously.