Can I make a suggestion - why not do the stew in the slow cooker over night and heat it up when you are ready to serve, instead of the early rising!!
I would go with bread too - doing mash for 13 odd people sounds painful!! lol.
And finally - Im sooooooooooo delighted for you with 3.5lbs. Amazing you.
Mmmn with regards to my goal... already I'm thinking another 2 stone won't be enough tho... might have to lower it when I get close!
Thought I worte a reply to you Clarri but its disappeared... bloomin' genius idea is what I wrote, don't know why I hadn't thought of that! Could I reheat in the slow cookers as i won't have a pot big enough to do it in the hob?
Linz - what time is dinner on the sunday? Do you have a low heat? You could cook on high for the first part, then on low overnight until ready to eat? thats what I do.
Was planning to eat about 2/3 ish in the afternoon, everyone will have had a late brekkie & we're going for a walk on the forest, wonder if I could just cook it on a low heat from the start?? Put it on about 2200 then it would cook for 17 hours on low instead of 10 hours on high?? Whatcha fink?
Oh bummer... just re-read the recipe & its 7-9 hours on low then 1-2 hours on high... do you think it will still be ok? The beef will just melt won't it... will leave the veggies & horseradish dumplings until they should be done!
If it were me I would cook it on high, then keep it on low to keep it warm.......
On yer goal - you will be suprised how much 2 stone will make a difference. Dont know about you, but I really dont want to be "skinny". But then im worried like you that if I get to my goal, will I not be happy. Tis a scary thought.