mexico

Cinco de Mayo isn't exactly Mexico's independence day--that's on September 16. In Mexico, the 5th of May is merely a regional observance honoring the Battle of Puebla. But in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has grown into a nationwide celebration of Mexican culture, food and drink. Which is reason enough for us to cook up a fragrant, chile-loaded mancha mantel stew tonight. The name means "tablecloth stainer" so don't pull out your best table linens. Just make sure you have plenty of paper napkins and cold Mexican beer on hand to really enjoy this dish. Luckily for us Northerners, the rich warmth of many Mexican caldillos, tingas, moles, adobos and other traditional meat dishes comes from dried red...