Mexican Bread Pudding

1/4 cup corn oil

16 3x2x 1/2-inch slices French bread from about three 6- to 7-inch-long French rolls

2 cups (packed) dark brown sugar

1 1/2 cups water

3 canela or cinnamon sticks

1 1/2 teaspoons aniseed

1/2 cup raisin s

1/3 cup blanched slivered almond s

1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanut s

4 ounces queso manchego*, thinly sliced, room temperature

Crema mexicana** or sour cream