In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and soda. Add sugar and salt if desired. In a small bowl whisk together buttermilk (or other liquid), egg, and oil. Add liquid mixture to flour mixture, whisk until smooth. Preheat and oil griddle. Ladle enough batter onto the griddle to make a 3-4â pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface. Flip and cook a few minutes more. I put a cookie sheet in the oven and preheat my oven to about 200 degrees. The finished pancakes keep warm while I finish cooking the rest of the batter. Everyone can warmly eat at the same time.