Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Apricots

1 pound beef stew meat, fat trimmed, cut into 1/2 inch cubes2 tbsp. rice flour1/4 tsp. salt1/4 tsp. pepper1 tbsp. olive oil2 cups peeled sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (2 medium)1 large onion, chopped3 cloves garlic, minced1 bay leaf1 tbsp. dried parsleypinch ground allspicepinch ground cinnamon1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper, to taste2 cups beef broth8 large dried apricots,