Eating a hot meal while camping can sometimes be a huge hassle--especially if you are backpacking and have to trek in fuel and camping stoves.

My friends and I eat pretty well when we backpack, but the hassles of cooking--and the cleanup--can sometimes ruin an otherwise enjoyable evening. And if it happens to be raining, forget it! Cooking in a tent is a very bad idea.

I'm always on the lookout for tasty, quick, and easy food ideas for backpacking and was therefore somewhat pleased to hear about Quick Cuisine. These package meals come with a nifty button that automatically heats up the meal in ten minutes when pressed. And they don't need to be refrigerated.

I'm not sure what type of mini-nuclear device powers up these meals, but I'm rather impressed with the concept. The big question, however, is does it taste good? I'll find out soon enough. Quick Cuisine is currently only for sale in Europe but will hit the American market in the next month or so. Available flavors will include Beef Stew, Chili con Carne, Ravioli with Tomato Sauce, and Paella.

That's four nights of meals, folks!

Filed under: Hiking, Food and Drink, Camping