Parmesan Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

Get ready to fall in love with these little bombs of flavor.  I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

18 (1- by 1/4-inch) sticks Parmigiano-Reggiano (from 1/2-lb piece)
18 pitted dates
6 bacon slices, cut crosswise into thirds
Special equipments: 18 wooden picks

Prep:

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Stuff one piece of cheese in each date, then wrap one piece of bacon around each date, securing it with a pick.  Arrange dates one inch apart in a shallow baking pan.

Bake 5 minutes, then turn dates over with tongs and bake until bacon is crisp, 5 to 6 minutes more.  Drain on a paper bag or parchment. Serve immediately.