Six researchers arrived back from Mars today.

A simulated Mars, that is.

The researchers spent nearly four months isolated in a remote habitat on Mauna Loa as part of a study meant to evaluate what kind of food is most tasty — and practical — in space.

The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, or HI-SEAS, food study aimed to simulate the actual experience of astronauts on a planetary mission and compare crew-cooked and pre-prepared food types. 

“You definitely need the ability to express yourself, take away some of that boredom and menu fatigue, but you also want some of the efficiency that comes along with those days that you are really busy and you just want to make something quick,” said crew member Sian Proctor, one of the six researchers, about the food study.

The winning recipes? No-crust quiche muffins for breakfast, a Moroccan beef tangine soup, lemon-dill pasta salad on the side, spam fried rice as a main dish and dark matter cake for dessert. 

Check out some photos here. 

The HI-SEAS mission was a collaboration between the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Cornell University. A NASA Human Research Program grant funded the study.

Photo: Researcher Yajaira Sierra-Sastre walking across ridge. (Photo courtesy of Sian Proctor, UH Manoa Flickr)