MRE Cook-Off Saturday at National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle

TRIANGLE, VA — Ever wondered how exactly U.S. Marines improvise in the field, how they're often able to somehow make something out of nothing?

You'll have a chance to do just that Saturday, but we're not talking combat. Nope. We're talking food. Meal-Ready-to-Eat food. The packs that troops carry around with them.

It's the Fourth Annual MRE Cook-off 2 p.m. outside the Devil Dog Diner at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway.

The event is free, and you'll see contestants use two MREs and combine them with ingredients of their choice from a one-pound gallon bag to make a dish for the judges.

For the record, each MRE pack has about 1,200 calories, a main course, a side dish, dessert or snack, bread, spread, beverage mix, a heater and utensils.

Image via National Museum of the Marine Corps