Paneed Pork Medallions With Herbed Spaetzle And Brown Butter Sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Diagonally slice the pork into 8 (3-ounce) medallions, about 1/2-inch thick each. Lightly season both sides of the medallions with salt and pepper. Place each of the medallions between two pieces of plastic wrap and gently pound them until they are about 1/4 in-inch thick. 

Place 3/4 cup flour in a small shallow bowl. Place the egg wash in a separate small shallow bowl and the bread crumbs in a third shallow bowl. Season the flour, egg wash, and bread crumbs with 1 teaspoon each of the Essence. Dredge pork in seasoned flour, dip in egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with crumbs, shaking off excess after each layer. Refrigerate the pork while the spaetzle is prepared.

In a bowl whisk together the 3 eggs, milk, herbs, nutmeg, salt and white pepper, to taste. Gradually stir in enough flour (2 1/2 to 3 cups) to make a thick batter; you may not need all 3 cups of flour. Using a spaetzle maker or a metal colander set over a pot of boiling, salted water, press spaetzle batter through the colander holes, directly into the water. When the spaetzle are cooked through, they will float to surface. Scoop up with a slotted spoon and drain well. Repeat with remaining batter.

In a large, oven-proof saute pan heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the breaded pork and cook until first side is golden, about 2 minutes. Turn medallions and transfer pan to oven. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion registers 150 degrees F. Cover to keep warm until ready to serve.

Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and add 1/4 cup of the butter. Toss the spaetzle into the pan with melted butter and saute until golden. Adjust seasonings with salt and white pepper, to taste. Remove the spaetzle from the pan and cover to keep warm until ready to serve. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of butter to the same saute pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook until the butter begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice, swirling the pan to incorporate. When the foaming subsides, season with salt and white pepper and remove from the heat.

Spoon a portion of spaetzle on each entree plate. Top each plate with 2 pork medallions and drizzle a little brown butter sauce around each plate. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs.