Hamburger Vegetable Soup

1lb ground beef
2 tbsp butter or oil
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
5 carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 cup green beans
4 cups water or stock
Dash of salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
2 bay leaves

1. Cook beef.
2. In a large pot, melt butter and then cook onion, pepper, carrots and celery for 5 minutes.
3. Add remaining ingredients and bring to boil.
4. Simmer for 30+ minutes until vegetables are tender.
5. Remove bay leaves.