Canjica (São Tomé Sweet Maize Porridge)
In short: Fine cornmeal cooked into a creamy porridge with cinnamon, sugar and egg yolks, served warm for breakfast or a light snack. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 180 kcal
Canjica is a sweet maize porridge from São Tomé and Príncipe, flavored with cinnamon and enriched with egg. Fine cornmeal cooks slowly in water until creamy, then sugar and egg yolks go in at the end for richness. It is a comforting dish for breakfast or an evening snack, and it needs only a few ingredients. Cook the porridge gently and stir often, because cornmeal catches on the bottom of the pan.
Instructions
- Bring 750 ml (3 cups) of the water to a boil in a saucepan with the cinnamon stick and salt.
- Whisk the cornmeal with the remaining 250 ml (1 cup) cold water until smooth. Pour it into the boiling water in a slow stream, whisking constantly.
- Turn the heat to low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often, until thick, creamy and no longer gritty. Stir in the sugar.
- Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl. Stir in a ladle of hot porridge to warm them, then pour the mixture back into the pan.
- Cook for 2 minutes over low heat, stirring constantly, until the porridge is creamy and has reached at least 71°C (160°F). Do not let it boil.
- Remove the cinnamon stick. Serve warm in bowls, dusted with ground cinnamon.
Tips
- Stir in the egg yolks off the boil, and keep stirring. If the porridge is too hot or you stop stirring, the egg scrambles into small lumps.
- Add a splash of coconut milk with the sugar for a richer porridge, or a little vanilla if you like.
Questions and answers
Can I make canjica without eggs?
Yes. Leave out the yolks and the porridge is still good, just lighter and less rich. A spoonful of coconut milk adds creaminess instead.
Can I reheat leftover canjica?
Yes. It sets firm in the fridge, so warm it in a pan with a splash of water, stirring until smooth. It keeps for 3 days.
Is this the same as Brazilian canjica?
No. Brazilian canjica is a dessert of whole white corn kernels in sweet milk. This one is a smooth cornmeal porridge made with water and egg yolks.
How long does it take to make Canjica (São Tomé Sweet Maize Porridge)?
About 35 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Canjica (São Tomé Sweet Maize Porridge)?
About 180 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 34 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 180 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 60 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
