Do you have a dairy allergy or choose to avoid dairy? Either way it can easily feel like you have to give up all your favorite foods! Grilled cheese just might be one of those dishes for you. Never fear!

In our kitchen today, Chef Kat Marris, Fresh and Balanced Meal Prep, introduces us to dairy-free cheese so we can still make and enjoy some ooey-gooey Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with a Simple Tomato Soup.

Simple Tomato Soup
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large shallot, peeled and diced
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1 (28 oz) can of whole peeled tomatoes
1 cup vegetable broth
2 roasted red bell peppers from a jar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
Dairy-free sour cream
Chives
Fresh basil

Instructions

In a large pot, add olive oil, shallot and garlic. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until the garlic and shallot are fragrant (about 2 minutes). Add all remaining soup ingredients and bring soup to a simmer. Simmer on medium-low for ten to fifteen minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend soup until it’s as chunky or as smooth as you like. Add desired toppings to each bowl of soup.

Fig and Olive Grilled Cheese
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients

1 tablespoon dairy-free butter
2 slices rye bread
2 tablespoons fig jam
2 tablespoons sliced green olives
2 slices dairy-free gouda cheese
2 slices dairy-free provolone cheese

Instructions

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Spread each slice of bread with fig jam. Place a layer of gouda cheese on each slice. Add sliced olives and top with sliced provolone cheese. Press the sandwich together gently and place it in the skillet. Cook until golden on the bottom about 3 to 5 minutes. Flip and add more butter if needed. Cook until the other side is golden and the cheese melts about 3 to 5 more minutes.

• About Chef Kat Marris: Chef Kat is a local Indianapolis chef that focuses on making vegetables your friend! She writes and develops healthy recipes for her blog, Fresh and Balanced as well as shares healthy eating tips and tricks on her Instagram (@katmarris). Passionate about plant-based eating and cooking, she brings her expertise as a chef to meal prepping dishes that taste delicious and are easy to make!

To learn more, visit:
Instagram: @katmarris
Website: freshandbalanced.com
Facebook: Fresh and Balanced