A reasonable alternative to dried chillis.?

I'm cooking a Massaman curry and part of the recipe calls for 7 soaked dried chillis (and the soaking liquid) to be used in the curry paste. My wife doesn't eat chillis and I'd like to know what I can use as an alternative to impart a similar flavour without the heat. I usually use capscicum when fresh chillis are called for and sweet paprika in place of chilli powder. I'm after items that are easily obtained in any Woolowrths, Coles or even Asian grocer in Sydney Australia.