Hi, my name is Kristin. I live in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley with my husband, Dave, and our three boys. We began our homesteading journey in 2010 with a modest flock of chickens (we call ‘em our gateway animal). Over the years our small homestead has grown to include a small herd of Milking Devon Cattle, heritage breed pigs, sheep, and more poultry. While we consume most of the meat and vegetables we grow, we do offer pork shares.

In addition to tending the land and animals, I’ve always loved experimenting in the kitchen. So when my children were small and I started avoiding processed foods, I began crafting recipes that recreated our favorite flavors with simple, high-quality ingredients. Among these creations was a salted caramel sauce that I named Cara-Sel, a play on caramel and “sel,” the French word for salt.

Cara-Sel quickly became a favorite among family and friends, who often requested it as gifts. Then, in 2014, with encouragement from my community, including the wonderful folks at Blooming Hill Farm and North Plank Road Tavern, I founded The Ardent Homesteader Inc. and officially launched Cara-Sel™.

To this day, I handcraft my caramel in tiny, one-gallon batches. This meticulous process allows me to caramelize the sugar until it reaches a perfect dark copper, creating a more complex, deeply toasty flavor. Enjoy Cara-Sel as a topping, dip, ingredient, or straight from a spoon (I have so many ideas for you!).

I’m proud to bring a little taste of our homestead to your table. Find Cara-Sel online, at events, and in shops across the Northeast.