Omarr’s Astrological Forecast

For the week of july 22 - july 28

By Jeraldine Saunders

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Relationships may not always be easy. New circumstances can bring in new dynamics and could change what one or both of you wants in the long run. Be honest about any changes and share your true feelings.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Winning sometimes means accepting that some people might say no. It Never over-promise or exaggerate your abilities just to make sure you do not lose out on an opportunity. Prove yourself and the yesses may come.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) : Be authentically you. Show the world who you are and what you have to offer, and you can find the people you need. Dance like nobody is watching and you could find that other people are out there dancing too.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Meeting new people could feel easier this week. Circumstances will put you in a position to avoid awkwardness and appear adorable. Enjoy the moment; let the situation grow. This might mark a fresh start.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You may have reached an awkward stage between milestones. You could be hard to classify and could get to choose which face to show the world. Take advantage of this interlude and make memories to treasure in the future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): All the places you already visit regularly may be full of new people. It could be time to take a moment away from focusing on your own missions to look around and see who could be nearby.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A side gig that may look something like a punishment could be a chance to find a whole new circle of people to hang out with. Take advantage of your newly discovered crowd and the environment to meet someone special.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) : You could be presented with an amazing opportunity that means you might need to walk away from what you have now. You need to weigh the comfort of security against the possible rewards before taking the leap.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The person of your dreams or a new friendship may not just appear at your cubicle, it might be time to seek out happiness in a new romance or build a whole new community. Take a chance on a conversation with someone new.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) : You may be able to control your own screens, but you cannot control the rest of the world. Take the time to look at the people around you. Take a deep breath and strike up a conversation with someone new and interesting.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) : Let loved ones and friends know that you do not take them for granted; little gestures can have the biggest impact. You may have gotten comfortable or complacent, but you could remember how romance should work.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Romantic comedies might show you that love is found through bad advice from sassy friends. Your story can evolve all on its own. Real love lasts longer than 90 minutes and is worth more than the price of a movie ticket.

RED VELVET CAKE IN COOKIE FORM? YES, PLEASE!

By

America’s

Test

Kitchen

Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies

Makes 12 cookies

For the filling:

1/2 cup (2 ounces) powdered sugar

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Pinch table salt

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cookies:

2 2/3 cups (13 1/3 ounces) all-purpose flour

2/3 cup (3 2/3 ounces) whole-wheat flour

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/4 teaspoons table salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

16 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 cup packed (7 ounces) light brown sugar

1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 tablespoon red food coloring

1 cup (6 ounces) white chocolate chips

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

For the filling:

1. Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, beat all ingredients on low speed until sugar is mostly moistened, about 1 minute. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down bowl as needed.

2. Line a rimmed baking sheet or a large, flat plate with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon measure and a small spoon (or a No. 60 scoop), divide filling into 12 equal portions on the prepared plate. Use the back of the spoon to lightly flatten each portion into a rough disk shape (no greater than 1 1/2 inches in diameter). Freeze until solid, at least 2 hours. (Filling can be frozen for up to one week.)

For the cookies:

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl.

2. Whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a second large bowl until smooth. Whisk in eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, and food coloring until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds. Stir in half of the flour mixture with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Stir in chocolate chips, pecans and remaining flour mixture. (Mixture will be stiff; once dough begins to stiffen, you can mix with your hands until dough is evenly combined.)

3. Divide dough into 12 equal portions (about 31/2 ounces or 1/3 cup each). Flatten each dough portion into disk shape, about 3 inches in diameter. Working quickly, place one disk of frozen filling in the center of each dough disk. Wrap edges of dough up and around filling, seal dough, and shape into smooth disk shape (about 3 1/2 inches in diameter and 1/2-inch thick), taking care to ensure filling remains in the center of each cookie. Space cookies evenly on prepared sheets, six cookies per sheet.

4. Bake cookies, one sheet at a time, until edges of cookies are beginning to puff and crack, 7 to 8 minutes. Let cookies cool completely on sheets, about 2 hours. Serve.

(For 25 years, confident cooks in the know have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. See more online at www.americastestkitchen. com/TCA.) (c) 2023 AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.