French Onion Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup EACH of gouda, gruyere, parmesan & pecorino
• 2 cups red wine, preferably a burgundy, OR
• 4-6 deli slices of cheese, OR
• 2 cups beer, preferably a brown ale or stout (not chocolate)
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 pounds onions
• a few good grinds of black peppercorns
• 4-6 cloves of garlic
• 1 baguette or other crusty bread
• 1 generous pinch of salt
• 4-6 cups beef, veal, and/or vegetable stock, preferably homemade