Thursday is a day for celebration. It’s Cinco de Mayo, and it also happens to be my birthday.

Many think it is the celebration of Mexico’s Independence, which it is not. It is the day in 1862, when the Mexican Army surprisingly defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla. What I find interesting is that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the United States than Mexico, although it is a big celebration in Puebla.

Join the festivities with Mexican pinatas, flags and music. To help me plan my day of celebration, I looked through “Amor y Tacos” by Deborah Schneider, a little book from my cookbook collection that delivers a deliciously new way to “do” Mexican.

Taking her cue from the taqueros who vend fresh and inventive food from roadside stalls in Baja and street-side trucks in Tijuana, Schneider recombines traditional Mexican flavors that will dazzle your taste buds. To see the rest of the column and recipes click here   To see my food and travel column archives click here.

To see the recipe for the Iced Mexican coffee mentioned in the column go to http://sfrecipes.tumblr.com/day/2011/05/03