North African Beef Stew

1 1/2 pounds lean beef stew meat
2 medium sweet potatoes -- peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 medium onion -- cut into wedges
1 cup water
1 teaspoon instant beef bouillon granules
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cloves garlic -- minced
1 (14-1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes -- undrained
1/2 cup dried apricots or pitted dried plums
(prunes) -- quartered
Hot cooked couscous -- optional
1/4 cup chopped peanuts

Cut meat into 1-in. pieces. In a 3-1/2- or 4-qt. slow cooker combine meat, sweet potatoes, and onion. Stir in water, bouillon granules, cumin, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and garlic. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7-1/2 to 8-1/2 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4 hours. Stir in tomatoes and dried apricots. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more. If desired, serve meat mixture over hot cooked couscous. Sprinkle each serving with peanuts.