A hardware performance analyzer will instantly show up this overzealous stack use as a peak in processor use. Since most people spend relatively little time solving performance problems, it often makes sense to use cheaper, more readily available tools. Several companies promote software based performance analysis. Paradigm's Inside and Borland's Turbo Profiler are possibly the best known. Both operate by instrumenting compiled code to track its execution.
Software based performance analyzers are a great compromise between price and capability.
They offer high accuracy and simple operation at an absurdly low cost. Unfortunately, the products mentioned operate only on 80x88 series processors, and both expect DOS services support. This does limit their usefulness. Fortunately more and more embedded systems use Intel-series CPUs or their NEC near equivalents. The wide availability of inexpensive high quality compilers and assemblers are certainly a compelling argument in their favor.