I agree, kimhw, cooking can be very therapeutic.

I keep dried chilis for this sort of situation. My husband works emergency response, so he is gone during any major weather events and sometimes for days after. And I cook nonstop while he's gone. My freezer is packed after a small storm.

I have learned to keep some strange ingredients invade a recipe takes me in a new direction.

Dried chili peppers, dried mushrooms, a variety of frozen fruit, veggies and even dairy. Many frozen herbs from my garden. A variety of grains and different flours. I have been known to make tortillas for soup in some bad storms!

Yes, I cook when I'm nervous. My string told me to stop. I find it productive, so I got a new shrink. All cooking it good and healthy!

thanks so much everyone, I went with the crushed red pepper and it is fine. I am going to make sure I have some canned chiles for future emergencies!

peach49 - p.s., that is, the kind of regular old crushed red pepper, dried, in the spice aisle of the grocery store.

Crushed red pepper.

In that case, I'd use cayenne or any other hot red pepper you have in your spice cupboard to add the heat. I'm totally with you on not wanting to go shopping while it is sleeting outside.

Oh, do you have any jarred chipotles, piqillo or roasted red peppers at home? Maybe use one for flavor. tortilla soup can be delicious & forgiving, if not authentic without the jalapeños, IMHO. If you need some heat add some chili powder? If its color and crunch minced green peppers?

I was not clear, I do not have any on hand, it is sleeting out and I don't want to venture out if I don't have to

Half the amount of Serrano chiles

Is your concern about the "heat"? Jalapenos are comparatively mild in the spectrum of peppers. Just be sure to scrape out the seeds and ribs. You could substitute the long, green anaheim chile.