Many popular cookbook authors, including Jamie Oliver, Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi and Tulsa’s widely-traveled Shannon Smith, are influencing a new generation of home cooks with the use of global flavors. Their cookbooks highlight unique ingredients such as sumac, tahini, za’atar, labneh, dried limes and freekeh — items from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries that are often hard to find at your local grocery store. Luckily for Tulsans, these and many other ingredients are all available locally in one place.
Imported extra virgin olive oils. $11.99 and up.
In 2006 Nabil Nofal opened Jerusalem Market International Grocery after a successful run operating a Bill and Ruth’s location in Sand Springs. Nofal, a native of Palestine, opened the shop to offer products from his homeland, as well as other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries.
The shelves are stocked with cooking essentials — spices, tea, grains, olives, pomegranate molasses, extra virgin olive oil and tahini. Refrigerators house dozens of cheeses (including the best-priced halloumi in town), Bulgarian feta and camel milk. Freezers hold baked pita, phyllo dough and assorted desserts.
Camel milk at Jerusalem Market International Grocery
Nofal died in 2022, but his son, Nour, helps run the store now with his sister and two brothers. “We want to carry on his legacy,” Nour says while pointing out popular items. “My siblings and I all help run the shop.”
Beyond food, the market sells items like espresso and Turkish coffee sets, tabletop lanterns and seasonal products.
Jerusalem Market
6124 E. 51st Place
918-660-7102
instagram.com/jerusalem_market_tulsa
10 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Saturday;
11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday
Dining and Cooking