Cambuulo (Somali Adzuki Beans with Sweet Ghee)
In short: Adzuki beans boiled until soft and creamy, then served warm with melted ghee and sugar, a simple and comforting Somali evening meal. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 1 h 30 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Cambuulo is a Somali comfort dish of adzuki beans boiled until soft and served warm with melted ghee and sugar. The beans cook down to a thick, spoonable mix, and a spoonful of sweet ghee on top gives each bite a rich, buttery edge. It is a simple evening meal for families, eaten with a spoon straight from the bowl, and it is very filling.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans and put them in a pot with the fresh water. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then simmer partly covered for 60 to 75 minutes until the beans are completely soft and their skins split.
- Stir in the salt. Mash a third of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon to make the mixture thick and creamy.
- Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring, until the liquid has reduced to just below the beans. Drain off extra liquid if needed.
- Melt the ghee in a small pan over low heat. Stir in the sugar and cardamom, if using, until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute.
- Spoon the beans into bowls and pour the sweet ghee over the top. Serve warm.
Tips
- Use a pressure cooker to cut the time to 25 minutes, then mash and reduce in the open pot.
- Put extra sugar and warm ghee on the table so that each person can sweeten and enrich their own bowl.
Questions and answers
Where can I buy adzuki beans?
Look in Asian and African grocery stores or in the dried bean aisle of large supermarkets. They are small, dark red beans, sometimes labeled aduki.
Can I make cambuulo vegan?
Yes. Use coconut oil or vegetable oil instead of ghee. The flavor is lighter, but it is still comforting and filling.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep the beans in the fridge for up to 4 days. They thicken as they cool, so reheat them with a splash of water and add fresh sweet ghee on top.
How long does it take to make Cambuulo (Somali Adzuki Beans with Sweet Ghee)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 1 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cambuulo (Somali Adzuki Beans with Sweet Ghee)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 59 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 59 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 12 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
