Wuxi Spareribs

I got this recipe from my October issue of Gourmet and made it for dinner tonight. It is the best Chinese dish I have ever made, authentic to the bone! The meat is so tender and the sauce is heavenly. I served it over plain white steamed rice!

• Ready In: 1 hr 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  scallion, trimmed,plus
• 1  tablespoon  chopped scallion
• 1  lb  pork spareribs, cut crosswise into 2 inch pieces by butcher
• 1⁄3 cup rice wine (preferably Shaoxing) or 1⁄3 cup medium-dry sherry
• 1  tablespoon dark soy sauce (sometimes labeled "superior")
• 1  tablespoon  regular soy sauce (sometimes labeled "thin")
• 3  cups water, plus
• 1  tablespoon water
• 1⁄2 inch fresh ginger, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/8 inch-thick slices
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons star anise, pieces (not whole)
• 3  inches cinnamon sticks
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  coarsely crushed yellow  rock sugar (sometimes labeled "yellow rock candy")
• 1  teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1  teaspoon cornstarch
• 1  teaspoon  sesame oil
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Blanch whole scallion in a 4-quart pot of boiling water until softened, about 1 minute.
2. Transfer scallion to a work surface and return pot of water to a boil.
3. Add ribs to boiling water and return to a boil, then immediately drain ribs in a colander.
4. Transfer ribs to a wide 2 1/2- to 3-quart heavy pot.
5. Carefully tie blanched scallion into a knot and add to pot with ribs.
6. Add wine, soy sauces, 3 cups water, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, rock sugar, and pepper to pot with ribs and simmer, covered, until meat is just tender, about 1 hour.
7. Remove lid and boil over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce is reduced by three fourths and meat is very tender, about 20 minutes more.
8. Whisk together cornstarch and remaining tablespoon water in a cup.
9. Reduce heat to moderate and add cornstarch mixture to ribs, then cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened, about 1 minute.
10. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.
11. Serve sprinkled with chopped scallion and cilantro.