Dragon treats

Chef Khris, as Khris McFarland, 14, is called on the menu, has a passion for cooking.

"A couple years back I started to watch the Food Network," he said. "The cooking and mixing sauces — I thought it was cool."

So with the help of his family, Khris, who has muscular dystrophy, began trying his own experimental recipes. A few didn't work ("You have to learn from your mistakes," he said), but most did.

"I just think about it a while and stuff pops out, like what flavors will be affected and how to change the flavor," he said.

Khris can stir a little and has a George Foreman grill that he can use to cook in his bedroom, but because of his limited mobility he mostly serves as an executive chef, giving instructions to his sous chefs/family members.

"He's just a good little cook," his mom, Linda McFarland, said. "I get to be the hands. Granted, I do it, but he's the one who gives the direction."

Khris' recipes can be, on occasion, a bit unusual. Linda remembers when she was a little hesitant about the ingredients Khris was telling her to include in a new sauce for burgers and fries.

"I was thinking: he's tasting it — I'm not," she laughed. "But when I tasted it, it was absolutely delicious. That's his secret sauce. He will not let me give that one out."

In addition to being a chef, Khris is a natural entrepreneur — he dreams of selling his secret sauce recipe, creating a line of cookbooks and opening a '50s diner featuring his own recipes.

"I've always liked diners and stuff," he said. "They're a cool '50s hangout place."

With that in mind, Jason Zontanos, Khris' support counselor through Tu Nidito Children and Family Services, contacted Little Anthony's Diner, 7010 E. Broadway. Zontanos was thinking small — maybe a special day at the diner for the family — but when owner Tony Terry heard about the young chef, he was open to trying some of Khris' recipes.

"I think it's just great," Terry said of Khris' food. "It's a little bit spicy."

The diner's chefs and a panel of kids tested and approved three of Khris' creations, which were then added to the menu: Khris' Dragon Grilled Cheese and Fries, Khris' Dragon Bowl of Hot Chili and Khris' Dragon Hot Chili Cheese and Fries — the last is Khris' favorite of the three.

"That way you can dip fries in the chili," he said.

The new kids menu features puzzles, games and, much to Khris' delight, dragons.

"Oh yeah, this is cool," "The Lord of the Rings" fan said when he saw the menu for the first time.

While it may not be his own diner, having recipes featured at Little Anthony's is still pretty exciting to Khris, who has cardiomyopathy and is in home hospice care. However, having his recipes served at the diner isn't even the best part of the whole experience, he said.

"The coolest part is that I can get free food forever now," he said with typical teenage enthusiasm. "And who doesn't like free food?"

Khris' Special Marinade

Recommended for poultry and pork.

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon powdered garlic

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 cup molasses or syrup

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1 pinch fresh ground black pepper

1 pinch red pepper flakes

A dash of mustard

Mix all ingredients together and pour over the meat.

Khris McFarland