Put a Spin on It: Classic NYC Dishes with a Twist

POPSUGAR FoodSource: Put a Spin on It: Classic NYC Dishes With a Twist

All eyes will be on the latest styles this Thursday when New York Fashion Week kicks off, but our stomachs will be in a different place. New York City is known for some some mouthwatering foods - think hot dogs, pizza, and cheesecake - that inspire plenty of our own recipes that add a twist to the classics. Whether you're close to the runways or not, you can still indulge in some big-city eating with these distinct dishes.

• Cheesecake: New York cheesecake is a straight-up, no-fuss dessert where hardly any other flavors are welcome. But you can give your cheesecake dish a (lemon) twist by making a lemon ginger version that's both bright and refreshing.
• Pizza: Roam NYC's streets and you'll find thin but huge pizza slices in popular flavors like margherita. Give the city staple some greens by taking advantage of the upcoming springtime - an asparagus, goat cheese, and pea shoot recipe will have you turning vegetables into pizza all season long.
• Hot Dogs: What would the Big Apple be without Gray's Papaya or Nathan's Famous hot dogs on Coney Island? Treat yourself to a unique city-streets-meets-ballpark recipe with these tasty bacon-wrapped hot dogs.
• Pastrami Sandwich : Katz's Deli in the Lower East Side may be the place where Harry met Sally, but it's also a pastrami mainstay. Create your own pastrami Reuben (instead of a classic pastrami sandwich) that has all the proper fixings like sauerkraut, spicy mustard, and rye bread.

More from POPSUGAR Food: Hot Dog! 10 Ways to Love the American Classic

• Clam Chowder: There's such a thing as Manhattan clam chowder, which is typically tomato-based and stocked with vegetables. Make a dish that's not too far from it with this version that's much lighter and less creamy than your standard New England batch.
• Italian Ice: In the Big Apple, there are tours that take visitors to the city's Italian ice spots. Enjoy a similar frozen treat in your own kitchen when you whip up a sweet ginger limeade granita with equally tasty Italian roots.
• Waldorf Salad : The classic Waldorf salad is said to have originated - where else? - at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. While a mayo-free Waldorf salad might sound unnatural, go ahead and substitute vinegar and oil for a surprising, yet still delicious, change.
• New York Strip Steak : Sure, New York strip steak could stand on its own when it comes to flavor, but a recipe that calls for miso mustard sauce will certainly add plenty of zing to the plate.