Cambulo

Name: Cambulo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Djiboutian
Ingredients: 300g dried adzuki beans, soaked overnight; 3 tbsp butter; 4 tbsp sugar; 1/2 tsp ground cardamom; 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon; Pinch of salt; 500ml water; 100ml coconut milk

Cambulo (cam-BOO-lo)

Sweet Adzuki Bean Porridge

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 320 kcal

A creamy, comforting porridge made from adzuki beans slow-cooked with butter and sugar, served warm as a nourishing breakfast or hearty dessert across Djibouti.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 10.0g

Carbs 52.0g

Fat 8.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

heavy pot wooden spoon measuring cups strainer

Presentation Guide

Vessel: small bowl

Garnishes: pat of butter, ground cinnamon

Accompaniments: flatbread, tea

Ingredients

300g dried adzuki beans, soaked overnight
3 tbsp butter
4 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
500ml water
100ml coconut milk

Instructions

1
Drain the soaked adzuki beans and place them in a heavy pot. Cover with fresh water and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for forty-five minutes until very tender.
2
Drain most of the cooking liquid, leaving just enough to keep the beans moist. Mash about half the beans with the back of a wooden spoon to create a thick, porridge-like consistency.
3
Add butter, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir well over low heat for five minutes until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves completely.
4
Pour in the coconut milk and stir to combine, creating a rich, creamy texture. Adjust sweetness to taste and cook for three more minutes.
5
Serve warm in bowls, optionally topped with an extra pat of butter or a drizzle of honey. The porridge thickens as it cools.

💡

Did You Know?

Cambulo is considered a comfort food in Djibouti and is often prepared for new mothers as it is believed to help restore energy after childbirth.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

heavy pot
wooden spoon
measuring cups
strainer

Garnishing

pat of butter, ground cinnamon

Accompaniments

flatbread, tea

The Story Behind Cambulo

Cambulo is a traditional Djiboutian porridge with roots in Somali pastoral cuisine. Adzuki beans, which thrive in the region despite harsh conditions, provided a reliable source of protein and calories for communities across the Horn of Africa. The dish reflects the influence of Indian Ocean trade routes, with cardamom and cinnamon arriving from South Asian and Middle Eastern merchants. Today, cambulo remains a beloved breakfast dish and is also served as a sweet treat during celebrations.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed breakfast or dessert 📜 Origins: Traditional Somali comfort food

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