Directions

1. Mix together the rub ingredients and rub on both sides of the ribs. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 300°F. Cover the ribs tightly with foil and bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
3. While ribs are baking, prepare the sauce. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook slowly for 3-4 minutes to render the fat and add a smoky taste to the sauce. Add the onion and garlic and cook slowly for about 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir and turn the heat to low. Cook slowly for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the onion, garlic and thyme from the sauce. Put some of the sauce in a bowl for basting and reserve the rest for serving.
4. At the end of the baking time for the ribs, remove the foil and baste both sides of the ribs with sauce, put back in the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes. Baste again and cook 10 more minutes. Baste one last time and cook 10 minutes. Remove ribs from the oven.
5. Preheat the broiler for 5 minutes and broil the ribs, basting with the sauce. Broil for about 5 minutes on each side or until they become crisp and charred.
6. To serve, cut the ribs between the bones and serve with the reserved sauce.