| • | Take butter in a large sauté pan and heat it over medium flame till it gets melted.
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| • | Add the bread pieces and fry them until golden.
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| • | Now take a small saucepan, combine water, anise seeds and cinnamon stick. Boil gently until the liquid becomes syrupy, about 6 minutes.
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| • | In a large bowl, combine apples, pecans, raisins, zest and cheese.
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| • | Sprinkle cloves and cinnamon over the top of the fruit mixture and toss to incorporate. Add in bread and carefully fold all ingredients together.
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| • | Pour half of the bread mixture into a large, buttered baking dish and pour half of the syrup over it. Add the remaining bread mixture and the remaining syrup.
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| • | Bake for 35 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 350 degrees.
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| • | Beat egg yolks until foamy and smooth. Add in milk, salt and 1/4 cup sherry.
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| • | Whisk until smooth. Pour over partially cooked bread and bake for another 35 minutes or until top is golden. |
