Aaron McCargo Jr.. from the Food Network's “Big Daddy’s House,” has a few ideas for making your football tailgate party big on fun, light on the wallet.

1. Share the health. "Trim as much fat off your meat as possible and remove the skin when grilling chicken," warns McCargo Jr. He also suggests grilling veggies and seafood as an alternative to meat. Lastly, remember to eat in moderation. "If you get out there and eat 12 pieces of chicken and half of Grandma’s potato salad, you just set yourself 20 steps back. Eat sensibly — it’s all about portion control," he adds.
   
   
2. Think green, save green. "Reuse your plastic oil bottles, hot sauce bottles, etc., instead of going out and buying new squeeze bottles for making dressings and vinaigrettes," says McCargo Jr. This will save you cash and is also eco-friendly.
   
   
3. Make it a family affair. Delegate simple and safe tasks to the kids to get everyone involved in the tailgate. Assign duties like placing drinks in coolers the night before, helping with food prep (like filling plastic freezer bags) and even putting charcoal on the cold grill. They'll love it, plus it’s less work for the adults!
   
   
4. Think beyond the meat when you’re grilling. You'll love Aaron McCargo Jr.’s amazing sweet corn salad recipe.
    

1. Heat the gas or charcoal grill. Place corn on the grill over medium heat. Cook uncovered 12 to 15 minutes, turning frequently, until the corn is tender and begins to brown. Move the corn from the grill to a cutting board; let it stand until it's cool enough to handle (usually about 10 minutes).
   
   
2. With a sharp knife, cut kernels from the cobs; break into bite-size pieces in a serving bowl. Add all remaining ingredients; toss to combine.

16 servings (1/2 cup each)