For many years a professional cook who specialized in seafood dishes prepared the meals at my parents’ house. Pedro Rocha would go to the fish market with my dad, bring home whatever had been caught that day, and turn it into an incredible meal for the family or for my father’s friends (who often came just for the food). Many of my seafood dishes are inspired by or derived from dishes Pedro taught me to make. This is one of them, and it’s always a favorite with my friends. As soon as we figure out how to get Pedro a passport, we’re opening a fish restaurant in the United States!

Ingredients

　　12 fresh oysters, shucked and resting in their bottom shell

　　3/4 cup minced white onion

　　1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

　　1/4 cup fresh lime juice

　　3 tablespoons clam-tomato juice (such as Clamato; optional)

　　4 teaspoons Maggi seasoning sauce (see opposite)

　　2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

　　1 teaspoon minced seeded serrano chile

　　1 teaspoon bottled hot sauce (such as Huichol)

　　Salt

Step 1

Step 2

　　Fresh Mexico