Vietnamese Pork Spareribs

Heat oven to 350 °F. Have ready a large roasting pan with a rack. Pour 1/2 inch water into pan. Place ribs on rack in pan. Cover with foil and bake 11/2 hours or until tender. Meanwhile mix oyster sauce, soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of the water in a small bowl. Put remaining 2 tablespoons water and the sugar in medium-size skillet. Cook over medium to medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Cook, without stirring, but swirling pan to blend darkening syrup into light syrup, until syrup turns pale amber. Remove from heat. (Watch carefully that it doesn't get too dark or it will taste burned.) Stir in sauce mixture (sugar syrup will bubble vigorously). Place over low heat and, stirring constantly, boil gently 3 minutes or until thick as molasses. Remove from heat and stir in remaining sauce ingredients. Brush 1 side of rack with sauce. To grill or broil: Grill 4 to 6 inches above medium-hot (400 °F) coals 5 to 6 minutes, turning and brushing with remaining sauce until browned and glazed. Broil on broiler-pan rack 4 to 6 inches from heat source, cooking as directed. Cut into individual ribs to serve.