Some of you know my work takes me all over the country speaking about silver. Last week I was in Holly Hill and Columbia, the most memorable locations.

Each group brought their viewpoints and sensibilities. Stories related to silver were appreciated as was the cheesecake.

I have used this recipe many years. It is perfect when the weather is hot.

It’s made in a 9 x 9 pan and served in squares. It can be made in the traditional round shape and served wedge style.

Serve on an antique cake or salad plate with a silver fork. The vanilla color covered in lemon curd or served plain or with a fruit sauce added is beautiful. Sitting on an antique cake stand really makes it special.

You can make a berries sauce to serve the cheesecake or serve warm.

About 2 cups of strawberries or blueberries are best as blackberries and raspberries have seeds to strain from the sauce before serving. Add the berries to 2 cups of water in a sauce pan, 1/2 cup of a sweetener of your choice, a tsp of vanilla and a piece of orange or lemon rind. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and mash with a potato masher about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Keep heat on low to avoid burning.

Strain and refrigerate or serve warm.

My favorite is to serve with a layer of lemon curd on top after cooling.

This easy cheesecake recipe serves 10.

2, 8-oz packages of full fat cream cheese

4 egg yolks

2 tsp orange, lemon or lime juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp clear vanilla

4 stiffly beaten egg whites

Combine all ingredients but the egg whites. Gently add the egg whites and place batter into a pie crust. You can make your own with sugar cookies, graham crackers or shortbread cookies from any grocery store.

Bake at 350° about 30 minutes

Remove from oven and allow to cool.

After cooling, I spread a layer of homemade lemon curd over the top. Then I place the covered cheesecake in the refrigerator at least 4 hours. This gives it time to chill and for the lemon curd to adhere to the cheesecake making it easier to cut.

Cover it in a plastic pie holder or cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

Everyone enjoys cheesecake’s cool and silky texture on a hot summer day.