n I generally like to make the Thai Pasta Salad Dressing before I make the pasta salad recipe itself to allow the flavors of the dressing to marry before being poured over the pasta salad prior to serving.nn Nuoc Cham base Ingredients:n 2-4 Thai bird chilies depending on heat tolerance seeded and sliced as thin as possible.n 2 Clove garlic chopped as finely as possible.n 1 Inch piece of ginger peeled and chopped as finely as possible.n 1-2 Tbsp of either white or brown sugar.n 2 Tbsp lime juice.nn ****This is the Nuoc Cham base. Mix all these ingredients in a bowl and let stand for 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to marry. Then when the flavors of this base have married it will be time to make the Nuoc Cham.nn To the Nouc Cham Base add:n 1/3 Cup fish sauce.n 1/3 Cup rice vinegar.n 2 Tbsp sesame oil.n Stir or whisk this mixture very well in preparation for pouring on the pasta salad.nn Ingredients:n 1 Lb Penne Rigate pasta. You can also use Rigatoni, Farfalle, Casarecci, Cellentani, or Conchiglie. All will work!n 1 Cup Thai basil. 1/2 cup chopped fine the other 1/2 cup whole leaves for texture and eye appeal.n 1 Bunch scallions finely sliced. Slice as thin as you can get it. Slice either straight or on the bias.n 1/2 to 1 Cup depending on taste of Cilantro finely chopped.n 4-6 Roma tomatoes seeded and diced into small pieces.n 8-10 Cloves of garlic finely chopped. Figure 2 cloves of garlic person or more depending on tastes.n 4-6 Thai bird chilies seeded and finely chopped. More or less depending on your tolerance for hot chilies.n 2-3 Inch chunk of fresh ginger peeled and chopped as fine as possible.n 1/2 Stalk Lemongrass. Peel the green bark off and either slice as finely as possible or chop as finely as possible.n Zest of 2 limes Kaffir or regular limes will do.n Salt and pepper to taste.n Large mixing bowl.nn Method:n 1. Cook pasta and then strain and put in cold water to stop the cooking and remove excess starch then strain again and put in bowl to have other ingredients put into the pasta salad.nn 2. Take your finely sliced scallions and mix into the pasta well.n 3. Take your Thai basil and mix the finely chopped basil into the pasta salad.n 4. Now take the whole Thai basil leaves and mix into the pasta.n 5. Add Cilantro into the bowl with the pasta salad and mix it in well.n 6. Add diced Roma tomatoes into the bowl with the pasta salad.n 7. Now add in your finely chopped garlic to the pasta salad recipe.n 8. Add your finely chopped Thai chilies to the pasta salad mixture.n 9. Now add your finely chopped ginger to the pasta salad mixture.n 10. Add your finely chopped lemongrass to the pasta salad recipe.n 11. Add the zest of 2 limes to the pasta salad.n 12. Add salt and pepper to taste.nn You can choose to just all all the ingredients to the pasta salad recipe at one time and mix it all up together by hand and then add your Nuoc Cham dressing. I prefer to mix in one ingredient at a time to the pasta salad and mix in each ingredient separately. Some of the flavors in this recipe can be rather strong so you will need to taste and adjust according to your taste requirements. Enjoy!n