IT is the Chinese version of the French Hors d'oeuvres, or the super yummy hot and cold starters before the main course.

DIM SUMs literally mean "to touch your heart"! These starters originated in the Cantonese region of China.

According to Chinese tradion, the origin of the dim sum is linked to the tradition of "yum cha" or drinking tea. Many tea houses sprung up along the side of roads so that weary travellers could stop and get refreshed for the rest of the journey.

Now, according to Chinese medicine, it is not a good idea to have proper food with tea because the digestive properties of tea increase the chances of people becoming obese. Hence, the culture of dim sums, or smaller snacklets, came into being.

Remember, dim sums are not one particular dish, but a variety of dumplings, steamed dishes and other goodies. And there is nothing like some thing hot and steaming to take the pain out of a rainy day.

But one does not always need to resort to fried pakoras for comfort, Chef Prem Pradhan of the Le Royal Meridien Mumbai serves up some delicious recipes for steamed dumplings so you can indulge without guilt and fill up another day of being rained in with something to do!

Photograph: stock.Xchng