Baked Jalapeño Peppers with Bacon

Cut the jalapeño peppers lengthwise in half, remove the seeds and membranes, then wash them thoroughly. Grate the Gouda cheese finely.

In a bowl, mix the grated Gouda with the plain cream cheese and the finely chopped chives, then season with freshly ground black pepper.

Fill each pepper with the cheese mixture. Join the two halves together, then tightly wrap each with a slice of bacon.